Promoting Democracy in the Classroom: A Practical Guide for Teachers

Improve the democratic competences in your teaching practice

Teachers can play a vital role in guiding and inspiring their students, especially when it comes to instilling democratic values in young citizens.

On this course, you’ll learn how to educate your pupils in the values of democracy, exploring what democratic education means and how you can put it into practice in your classroom.

Understand the fundamentals of a democratic culture

You’ll delve into how you can transfer democratic values and model attitudes for your learners, and identify ideas and policies that relate to a culture of democracy.

You’ll also discuss the differences and key debates around the “education for democracy” and “education through democracy” approaches.

Identify practical ways to promote democracy in education

Alongside pedagogy experts at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU), you’ll gain access to key resources and practical ideas to promote democracy through your teaching practice.

Ultimately you’ll come away with real-world teaching and assessment methods that can facilitate the promotion of democracy within your classrooms.

This E-course was produced with the financial support of the European Union and the Council of Europe. The views expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of either party.

This course could would benefit teachers of all subject matters who are interested in integrating and promoting competencies for democratic culture in their teaching.

• What is democracy and why does it matter in education?
• Introductions
• What is democracy?
• Why democracy matters in education?
• How can teachers promote democracy?
• The promotion of democracy in the school curricula
• Democratising classroom practices
• Democratising school practices
• What are the practical challenges of promoting democracy?
• Challenges
• Teaching as a reflective practice
• Ready to promote democracy?