Teaching and Learning

Teaching and learning have been energetic and well sustained in all areas. The college offers a wide and balanced programme within and without of the IB. RCNUWC produced Human Rights course and Norwegian for beginners. Both remain popular and reflect some of the core values of RCNUWC. However, the deficit in variety of foreign language opportunities remains, particularly for Nordic students. All first years complete a course in Nordic Studies. They can select particular areas of interest, art, history etc and all enjoy Nordic Craft sessions with our neighbours.

During the two Project Based Learning weeks students can blend traditional academics with new areas, for example studying Health care at the local Høgskulen in Sogn og Fjordane or being in a chalet in a Spanish speaking immersion. The one month annual Summer English Course again proved to be a success both for the student learners and the student teachers. The course gives both groups the opportunity to establish themselves in new routines and is a great preparation for adjusting to new surroundings.

Six days each year, classes are replaced by a Global Concerns Day when students and invited speakers take up topics and issues relevant to the current world situation.

Professional Development
All staff had the opportunity to partake in internal and external professional development. Three staff training days were held at the College. Also, teachers were encouraged to share methods and information across all classes and departments. Fifteen staff members were able to update their professional knowledge and skills within specific areas of interest by taking part in professional courses, seminars and workshops.

Exchange Teachers,Teachers in Training and Volunteers.
RCNUWC is becoming increasingly popular as a training institution and continues to take two teacher trainees each year from EVLOS in the Netherlands for 3 months. Arrangements for students from local teacher training institutions are in place. The two exchange teachers from China, on a Norwegian Peace Corps exchange from Ningxia University in China, teach the extra English courses and help the group learning Chinese language. Through the European Voluntary Service programme we have one volunteer working with the camp school, the extra academic events and helping individual students with work or language. A Library volunteer is shared with Sogn og Fjordane County and Fjaler Library for nine months.

Human Rights
The school-based IB standard level course which was introduced in September 2001, continues to remain highly popular with students. This year we have the largest number of first years enrolled for the course. Equally important has been the growing interest in the course elsewhere. A Canadian school with whom we have had close contact, introduced the Human Rights course in September 2004. Two more schools, in Colorado, USA, and in Mauritius, have indicated their interest in offering the course to their students.