Education for a shared society
The education for a shared society department at aChord develops and implements models, training programs and pedagogical intervention tools drawing on social psychology – lesson plans, curricula, learning aids and workshops – to diagnose, develop and evaluate programs of education for a shared society. We provide initial and ongoing guidance to teams of educators, policy makers, teachers, and teachers-in-training to help promote effective, research-based activities in this area.
We work in both the formal and informal education systems, with all educational sectors and with all age groups. Our partners in this endeavor include schools, local authorities, the office for civic education and shared society at the Ministry of Education, other ministry officials, school networks, the President of Israel ("Israeli Hope" project), civil society organizations, the Israel Association of Community Centers, youth movements, and others.
Various studies and accumulated experience show that although many teachers perceive education for a shared life as an important topic for students, in practice they do not teach it in a systematic and structured manner. A major reason for this gap is the lack of tools to deal with the subject, which involves explosive and controversial issues. Working to meet this need, aChord in recent years has developed a psychosocial basis of knowledge, training tools and pedagogy adapted to the multiple cultures and inter-group tensions that characterize Israeli society. We have developed diverse models for professional development while creating a network of connections and partnerships with various parties in the education system. Resting on these foundations, we guide and train educators in various positions and educational streams to work with research-based psychosocial tools and practices to effectively promote education for shared life in schools and classrooms.
Various studies and accumulated experience show that although many teachers perceive education for a shared life as an important topic for students, in practice they do not teach it in a systematic and structured manner. A major reason for this gap is the lack of tools to deal with the subject, which involves explosive and controversial issues. Working to meet this need, aChord in recent years has developed a psychosocial basis of knowledge, training tools and pedagogy adapted to the multiple cultures and inter-group tensions that characterize Israeli society. We have developed diverse models for professional development while creating a network of connections and partnerships with various parties in the education system. Resting on these foundations, we guide and train educators in various positions and educational streams to work with research-based psychosocial tools and practices to effectively promote education for shared life in schools and classrooms.
The education team at aChord works with local authorities to build a municipal model for promoting education for a shared society. Working at the municipal level allows building an inclusive, multi-age and multi-channel educational process capable of broadly influencing the perceptions and attitudes of educators and students vis-a-vis other groups in society. This approach allows aChord to tailor its tools to align with the character and needs of the particular locality and formulate a long-term process of advising, training and intervention. In this manner, the local education system consistently and systematically encounters educational content and tools based on social psychology, in a way that can influence student perceptions, attitudes and behaviors to become more equal, inclusive and tolerant.
Many social and education organizations in Israel work directly or indirectly on the issue of intergroup relations and a shared society. aChord accompanies various education organizations and advises them on increasing their impact in education for a shared society. The consulting process utilizes research and tools from the realm of social psychology and generally includes a psychosocial diagnosis, training tailored to the educational and psychological goals of the organization, development of research-based solutions and interventions, and accompanying their integration into the organization’s work.
Many social and education organizations in Israel work directly or indirectly on the issue of intergroup relations and a shared society. aChord accompanies various education organizations and advises them on increasing their impact in education for a shared society. The consulting process utilizes research and tools from the realm of social psychology and generally includes a psychosocial diagnosis, training tailored to the educational and psychological goals of the organization, development of research-based solutions and interventions, and accompanying their integration into the organization’s work.
The education team at aChord works with local authorities to build a municipal model for promoting education for a shared society. Working at the municipal level allows building an inclusive, multi-age and multi-channel educational process capable of broadly influencing the perceptions and attitudes of educators and students vis-a-vis other groups in society. This approach allows aChord to tailor its tools to align with the character and needs of the particular locality and formulate a long-term process of advising, training and intervention. In this manner, the local education system consistently and systematically encounters educational content and tools based on social psychology, in a way that can influence student perceptions, attitudes and behaviors to become more equal, inclusive and tolerant.
Many social and education organizations in Israel work directly or indirectly on the issue of intergroup relations and a shared society. aChord accompanies various education organizations and advises them on increasing their impact in education for a shared society. The consulting process utilizes research and tools from the realm of social psychology and generally includes a psychosocial diagnosis, training tailored to the educational and psychological goals of the organization, development of research-based solutions and interventions, and accompanying their integration into the organization’s work.
Various studies and accumulated experience show that although many teachers perceive education for a shared life as an important topic for students, in practice they do not teach it in a systematic and structured manner. A major reason for this gap is the lack of tools to deal with the subject, which involves explosive and controversial issues. Working to meet this need, aChord in recent years has developed a psychosocial basis of knowledge, training tools and pedagogy adapted to the multiple cultures and inter-group tensions that characterize Israeli society. We have developed diverse models for professional development while creating a network of connections and partnerships with various parties in the education system. Resting on these foundations, we guide and train educators in various positions and educational streams to work with research-based psychosocial tools and practices to effectively promote education for shared life in schools and classrooms.
