The 6Cs in Education

How can education prepare learners not only to know more, but also to think, create, communicate, cooperate and act responsibly?

This practical Erasmus+ course explores the 6Cs: character, citizenship, collaboration, communication, creativity and critical thinking. Participants experience these competencies through active learning and develop practical ways to integrate them into lessons, projects and educational initiatives.

Activity Type: Physical Mobility

Duration: 1-week Erasmus+ course

Target Group: Teachers, trainers, school leaders, educational coordinators and other education professionals from all educational levels.

Skills for Learning, Work and Life

The 6Cs—character, citizenship, collaboration, communication, creativity and critical thinking—help learners respond to complex challenges in education, work and everyday life. This practical Erasmus+ course shows educators how to turn these competencies into meaningful learning experiences rather than isolated classroom activities.

Through workshops, simulations, group challenges and international exchange, participants will explore strategies for developing responsible participation, teamwork, clear communication, original thinking, informed decision-making and learner independence.

The course connects the 6Cs with active learning, project work, reflection and authentic assessment. Participants will experience practical activities from the learner's perspective before considering how to adapt them to different subjects, age groups and educational environments.

By the end of the week, participants will have a collection of practical activities and an action plan for integrating the 6Cs into lessons, projects and wider educational initiatives.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

  • explain the role of the 6Cs in modern education
  • design activities that integrate several competencies at the same time
  • support creativity and critical thinking through open-ended challenges
  • improve communication and collaboration through structured group work
  • encourage responsibility, resilience and learner independence
  • connect citizenship education with local, European and global issues
  • assess the 6Cs through observation, reflection and practical tasks
  • create an action plan for their own educational context
Educators collaborating during a practical classroom activity

Schedule

Day 1 – Understanding the 6Cs

Icebreaker: The Six Skills Snapshot

A team challenge followed by reflection on which of the 6Cs were needed to complete it successfully.

  • Course introduction and participant expectations
  • Character, citizenship, collaboration, communication, creativity and critical thinking
  • Current educational challenges and future competencies
  • Mapping the 6Cs in existing teaching practice
  • Participant school and organisation presentations
  • Establishing personal learning goals

Day 2 – Communication and Collaboration

  • Verbal, written, non-verbal, visual and digital communication
  • Active listening and constructive feedback
  • Recognising communication barriers and misunderstandings
  • Designing meaningful collaborative tasks
  • Team roles, shared responsibility and inclusive participation
  • International group challenge and reflection

Day 3 – Creativity and Critical Thinking

  • Understanding creativity as a process
  • Brainstorming and idea-generation techniques
  • Questioning assumptions and evaluating information
  • Identifying bias, evidence and weak arguments
  • Creative problem-solving activities
  • Redesigning a traditional activity using creativity and critical thinking

Day 4 – Character and Citizenship

  • Responsibility, resilience, empathy and learner autonomy
  • Values and ethical decision-making
  • Local, European and global citizenship
  • Democratic participation and respectful dialogue
  • Connecting learning with real social challenges
  • Designing a character or citizenship activity

Day 5 – Integrating and Assessing the 6Cs

  • Combining the 6Cs in lessons and projects
  • Identifying common implementation challenges
  • Designing a practical 6Cs-based learning activity
  • Assessing competencies through observation, reflection and practical tasks
  • Peer feedback and activity improvement
  • Developing a personal or institutional action plan
  • Course evaluation and competency roundup

Day 6 – Course Closure and Cultural Activities

  • Final reflection and exchange of learning
  • Awarding of Certificates of Attendance
  • Excursion and other cultural activities

Evaluation of Learning Outcomes

Evaluation format:
Continuous assessment on class participation and self-assessment.
Evaluation criteria:
Participation in class debates, reflection and games.
Evaluation procedures:
Attendance, class participation.

Recognition of learning outcomes

Recognition conditions:
80% attendance to the course and class participation.
Recognition procedures:
The participant and the teacher trainer will be both in charge of recognizing the learning outcomes.
Recognition documentation:
Certificate of attendance. If applicable, submit a paper.

Practical Details

Duration: 1 week or 25 academic hours
Schedule: Classes are from Monday to Friday in the morning or in the afternoon. The definite timetable will be sent at least two weeks before the start of the class. Saturday is reserved for Cultural Activities.
Sundays are for arrival and departure.
Note: other durations and schedules can be arranged on demand.
Certification Details: Our organization is duly registered as en Erasmus Teacher Academy, with OID No. E10333486. Therefore, we issue the appropriate Certificates so that your course and trip get fully funded.
Support: Understanding Academy offers full support in terms of Erasmus+ mobilities, but unfortunately we do not provide transport or accommodation.
Fee: €480 Press here to see what is included

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Erasmus+ funding available for eligible participants