The AHEAD project aims to provide headmasters with leadership and management skills to manage teams for EU projects. It develops an innovative didactic model combining problem-based learning, peer-to-peer learning, and self-directed learning. The model includes an e-course with modules on teamwork, leadership, fundraising, and project management. It also includes problem-based learning sessions where headmasters work through problems in groups and complete individual study assignments. Finally, headmasters develop case studies and project scenarios in national groups. The goal is to help schools better manage resources and seek quality teaching through international collaboration.

1. AHEAD – Web based PBL training to improve
headmasters skills and promote in
“innovative school”
Michela Tramonti
Project Manager,
International Project Office - FOR.COM.
ICERI 2010
15-17 November, 2010 – Madrid (Spain)
This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This communication reflects the views only of the author, and the
Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

2. OVERVIEW
FOR.COM. PRESENTATION
PROJECT PRESENTATION
THE AHEAD DIDACTIC MODEL
THE E-COURSE
CONCLUSION

3. WHO WE ARE
FOR.COM. is public non profit body
established in June 1990
promoted and recognised by the Italian Ministry of Education
FOR.COM. is a InterUniversity Consortium
developing and delivering ODL courses
(ODL - Open Distance Learning)
applying innovative solutions and interactive tools in order to
promote flexible, tailored and collaborative learning process

4. MAIN OBJECTIVES:
To apply ICT to training process
To experiment new learning and training solutions
To promote research and innovation in the training fields
To be up-to-dated with new e-learning trends
To transfer research results in the Institutional Didactic
Offer
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS AND PROJECTS
OFFICE

5. Project objective
The AHEAD project aims at providing headmasters with the needed skills (leadership
and management) to create and manage a team in charge of the EU projects
the designing and testing of an innovative didactic model –
“the AHEAD didactic model”
Through

6. AHEAD project partners
ACADEMY OF MANAGEMENT - Beneficiary PL
CONSORZIO FOR.COM. - Formazione per la
Comunicazione – Coordinator IT
EPAGELMATIKO LYKEIO AXIOUPOLIS
GR
ISTITUTO PROFESSIONALE STATALE "GIUSTINO
FORTUNATO“ IT
OPPORTUNITIES AID FOUNDATION MT
RUSTU AKIN KIZ TEKNIK MESLEK LISESI TR

7. The AHEAD didactic model
The AHEAD didactic model is based on the combination of three main learning
theories/methodologies:
1) Problem-based Learning (PBL)
2) Peer-to-peer learning
3) Self-directed learning

8. Problem-based Learning (PBL) approach
What is PBL?
• PBL is an educational methodology used to learn how to solve
problems.
• Trainees do not “learn” about problems but are “challenged” by them to
find a solution to solve them.
• Knowledge is considered as a means and not a final achievement.

9. PBL Historical Origins
PBL began in the early 1970s at McMaster University medical
school in Canada. Although the concept was established long
before this…
PBL is also used in the fields of business, chemistry, biology,
physics, mathematics, education, architecture, law,
engineering, social work, history, English and literature, history,
and political science.

10. Problem solving vs. PBL
- Different but inter-related-
Problem solving:
making
decisions based on prior
knowledge and reasoning.
Problem-based learning: the
process of acquiring new knowledge
based on recognition of a need to
learn.

11. The AHEAD e-Course
AHEAD e-Course: “Enhancing headmaster skills on school
management and European project development”
1) e-Course - theoretical section (18 hours)
2) Problem Based Learning session - practical section (32
hours)
3) Project work (20 hours)

12. e-Course - theoretical section
Four main modules:
1) Team Working
2) Team leadership and team building
3) Fundraising and EU funds
4) Project management

13. LECTURE NOTESMultimedia lessons
SLIDES
Topic Structure
QUIZZES

14. AHEAD PBL Sessions
AHEAD PBL sessions, delivered at the end of each module, consist of:
1. First meeting - headmasters are divided into classes (10/15
headmasters per country) to encounter and reason through the
problem.

15. AHEAD PBL Sessions
2. Self-directed study - each headmaster completes his/her
learning assignments.
3. Second meeting - headmasters share their learning with the
group and revisit the problem.
4. At the end of the learning period, headmasters summarize
and reflect on what they learned in a report for each class.

16. Project work
(20 hours)
Each national class has to develop two case studies/scenarios based on
their own real experience following the steps below:
1) Scenario/problem construction.
2) Drafting of the case studies/scenarios analysis.

17. PBL Repository
The PBL repository is an on line
environment where headmasters can
upload their own case studies/scenarios,
also after the project’s end

18. CONCLUSION
The AHEAD project was designed to help schools grow in the
changing environment where they operate. Nowadays
schools were confronted with the necessity to become
professional and self-directed organizations seeking in
managing skills of public funding for education and looking
for quality of teaching
Schools face increasing urgency to provide their headmasters
with new managerial skills in order to successfully
participate in international exchange and projects thus
allowing teachers and students to teach and learn from
mutual experiences.

19. Thank you for listening !
MICHELA TRAMONTI
m.tramonti@forcom.it
PH: +39 06 37725511
www.forcom.it
www.aheadproject.eu
http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/llp/