Social Neuroscience, Social Pedagogy and Education
The choice of this postgraduate course was a result of my experience as a student of the Pedagogical Department of Primary Education of NKUA and I will dare to say that "my heart led me to it" or otherwise an internal urge that I often find difficult to describe in words. My research was not thorough, but my undergraduate experiences were enough to make my soul feel "full"… of experiences that were simply… so human!
From the first day of my studies at the Postgraduate course "Social Neuroscience, Social Pedagogy and Education" I realized how lucky I was and how right my choice was. My excitement was great and as excessive as it sounds; I felt happy. I felt like I was "living next to my dream".
I was really impressed from the inaugural event, as I had not heard of something similar being organized by other postgraduate courses, while our first acquaintance and the essential interaction with the new fellow students-researchers-fellow travellers through properly designed experiential and collaborative activities, cultivated an intimate atmosphere among us. The experiential character of the postgraduate course had already been realized!
In the lessons, through systematic study and research, the consistent method, the good knowledge, the interdisciplinary links, the experiential learning, the group work, the ingenuity and the creativity, we seek a social and educational change, enhancing the personal self-improvement and the individual and collective reflection!
We cultivate motivation for ourselves, for each person individually, but also for society itself!
We act and create critically and evolve as researchers and as scientists!
A special point of reference needs to be made for our professors, whom I admire for their passion, fighting spirit and dedication. They inspire us, while their encouragement and belief in our abilities is touching. They are trained scientists in Greece and abroad, but above all they are good-natured people who "enlighten" us with their selflessness and example. I have absolute trust in them, a trust that is earned!
Personally, I am fascinated by the fact that the master's degree in all its stages is inspired by a collective, team-like spirit and seeks to cultivate meaningful interpersonal relationships between students. Especially in the context of the unfavourable news of the coronavirus pandemic and the necessary long-distance education, the bonds created between us were quite strong, communication was sought in every possible way and, despite the impersonality of the circumstances, we all felt we coexisted in a positive, interactive , a warm, collaborative and creative environment with a vision and common goals. Also, we felt that we had understood even a little of everyone's personalities, we had won lessons from each one individually and there was a pleasant anticipation for the lessons. The lessons stand out for their emotional atmosphere, which is spontaneously created through the presentation and utilization of thoughts and sincere feelings or life experiences.
At the same time, the postgraduate course gives special emphasis on our self-improvement, on the responsibility we have as Social Educators, as scientists, as researchers and guidelines are provided with attention and support at every step. The evaluation does not come only at the end of the semester, but feedback takes place after some work, which is very helpful for our metacognition, the correction of our weaknesses, the re-understanding of concepts and our general development. Personally, I missed this crucial stage for our course during my undergraduate years. Now I enjoy it a lot and because it is important to know which path we are on, but also because the feedback is done with encouragement for our abilities, with clarity regarding our failures and with true and substantial support to each of us.
It is indisputable that what we will be called to do in the future as Social Educators in the postgraduate course, we experience it from the point of view of the recipients of Social Pedagogy, but also from the point of view of our action as Social Educators. We experience it and transform it into practice!
Even if the master's degree is demanding and requires dedication… even if difficult times come, even if we are faced with the darker side of ourselves or a hard truth that we find difficult to admit…
What is certain is that we are becoming better people! I can attest to it! And it's worth it! It is a course worth following, as we weigh our priorities and needs properly, responsibly and wisely!
I would dare to say that this postgraduate course is a "hug" and a "soul deposit", while teaching us how to fly, scientifically and humanely…!
E. L.