Exploring Dialogue, Drama and Gamified Learning: Acadimia Workshop at Stapaskóli

GeoCamp Iceland hosted, in collaboration with University of Iceland and Stapaskóli in Njarðvík, the second hands-on Acadimia teacher training workshop, this time focusing on EAR (Dialogue and Drama) and Gamified Learning. The session took part in Stapaskóli on 13 October 2025 and was part of the ongoing Erasmus+ project ACAδIMIA, which brings creative and inclusive teaching methods to classrooms across Europe.

Twelve teachers from five primary schools on the Reykjanes Peninsula took part in the workshop, contributing to a growing local community of educators interested in creative pedagogy. The training was led by Brynja Stefánsdóttir (Stapaskóli), Tryggvi Thayer (University of Iceland School of Education), Freydís Kneif Kolbeinsdóttir (Háaleitisskóli) and Sigrún Svafa Ólafsdóttir, GeoCamp Iceland’s project manager for educational outreach and representative of Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark.


Bringing European Pedagogy to Local Classrooms

ACAδIMIA is a three-year Erasmus+ project—an evolving European “teachers’ academy” that unites 11 creative and inclusive teaching methods under one framework. The methods originate from different European countries and draw on Montessori, theatre and dialogue, gamification, creative coding and more. They are flexible, accessible and suitable for learners of all ages and abilities.

The workshop at Stapaskóli gave teachers practical experience in two of these approaches:

• EAR (Dialogue and Drama)
  A method that encourages students to explore ideas through movement, voice, improvisation and discussion. It strengthens communication skills, confidence and collaboration.
  
  
• Gamified Learning
  A structured method that uses game elements—challenges, storylines, rewards and strategy—to increase motivation, engagement and learning depth across subjects.

A Growing Movement in Reykjanes

Educators from the Reykjanes Peninsula, together with GeoCamp Iceland staff, represent the Icelandic partner group in ACAδIMIA. The University of Iceland School of Education contributes academic insight, connecting local practice with European research on creative pedagogy.

Interest continues to rise. More workshops featuring all 11 ACAδIMIA methods will be offered in the coming months, giving teachers in Reykjanes sustained opportunities to explore, test and adapt new approaches for their students.

The response so far shows a clear appetite for playful, inclusive and student-centred learning—exactly the kind of environment today’s learners need to thrive.