Education is a challenge for educators all over the world since it is questionable how learners can be educated to become responsible citizens in different areas, including in the field of social entrepreneurship. A special course called “Entrepreneurship Culture and Education” was introduced at the University of Szeged’s Doctoral School of Education in order to support international students in their understanding of the relationship between entrepreneurial competence, sustainability and civic education. This approach is in line with the aims of the PIETE Project, as the course intends to foster competences that can be further embedded into the educators’ everyday work lives, for example in their teaching practice, subject-related activities).
A flexible and transferable interdisciplinary learning programme with wide methodological tools were discussed. Finding a suitable methodology and adapting it into the school practice and teacher-training programme of a given country was also an integral part of the course. Forming attitudes based on students’ own experiences, mapping prior knowledge in the field of entrepreneurship education and education for sustainability were also the aims of the course. The course is based on a usable pedagogical innovation in everyday school practice applying the challenge-based methodology with existing materials and tools to develop children’s social-emotional skills.
The students examined the theoretical and practical basis of entrepreneurship education from different scientific viewpoints. International students analysed the curriculum of this area in their home country and explained the problems and possibilities for others. It was interesting to see that international students had much more positive image of entrepreneurs than Hungarians had. It was also an enlightening finding that most of the students highlighted the importance of female entrepreneurship.
One of the most important results is the sensitisation. The elements of entrepreneurial competence are incorporated into students’ everyday thinking, and they can apply them in their everyday life or they can transfer or extend them to another project.
Authored by Szabolcs Prónay, University of Szeged
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