Advice and professional development for school and recreational staff

Description of the action and objectives

Green Deal action

Increased educational counseling, consultation, and diverse professional development. The project www.gskolar.is, an information page for staff, students, and parents, has already been launched. There, among other things, you can find information about software and hardware, the digital school environment in Google Workspace for Education Plus, and all major education for parents about data protection in Icelandic, English, and Polish. Schools received various support materials for use, such as a guide about the purpose of the project, equipment, organization, professional development, and the schools' digital proficiency. An extensive checklist was created, providing information on the distribution of equipment and materials for school staff, students, and parents. Schools also gained access to the European tool SELFIE for schools, where managers, teachers, and students respond to short questions or statements related to six different focal points concerning the use of digital technology. Translation and testing of SELFIE was done by NýMið in collaboration with the University of Iceland's School of Education. Numerous information, education, and consultation meetings were held where participation was offered to school growth contacts and school administrators, and newsletters were regularly sent out.

Implementation period

Planned completion in the second half of 2024

Status: In progress

Status report on January 1, 2024

The teacher development offering was greatly expanded in connection with the Gróska project, which concluded at the end of 2023. It is clear that this will reduce the focus on pedagogical emphasis. Nevertheless, diverse collaborations are ongoing, with new educational materials created, active online discussion groups, educational meetings, and neighborhood consultations with Gróska contacts in primary schools. A learning community for preschools is established, and professional collaboration with MVS-HÍ has significantly increased. Major European projects in partnership with primary schools have started.

Older status reports

Below you can find older status reports with information on the progress of the action since its inception (if you're using your phone, it's better to turn it sideways).
Timing Progress description
July 2023

A significant increase in professional development offerings. Mixtúra organized around 160 events for 2,300 participants during the 2022-2023 school year. New educational material has been created, particularly for the Digital Classroom. Increasing collaboration and dialog, active discussion groups online, educational meetings, and neighborhood consultations with Gróska contacts in primary schools. A learning community for preschools has been established. Educational talks with discussions and open houses are offered in Mixtúra related to specific topics. Professional collaboration with MVS-HÍ has significantly increased. The Oddi project began in fall 2022, with four staff members from primary schools and recreational activities working 20% in Mixtúra, and teachers on sabbatical participating in specific project work in Mixtúra related to their studies.

January 2023 The project is ongoing. Professional development offerings have increased a lot. In 2023, Mixtúra, the center for creativity and information technology of the Department of Education & Youth located in the School of Education at the University of Iceland, hosted approximately 160 events for 2,300 participants. New educational material has also been created, particularly for the Digital Classroom.
July 2022 New implementation plan developed, approved, and launched. This is an ongoing project that will be in progress from 2022 to 2024. To monitor progress, a status assessment is made twice a year, at the end of the year and at the end of June.

Connection of action to Reykjavík City's policies:

Reykjavík City departments:

Related actions

The table below contains actions related to this initiative, and you can access more information by clicking on the "action title" in the table (if you're using your phone, it's better to turn it sideways).

Action name

Completion Departments
Education and advice on climate and environmental issues

for school and recreational activity staff
2024 Department of Education & Youth
Reduce carbon footprint - Implementation of green screens in primary schools 2024 Department of Education & Youth
Increased access to equipment for staff and children in school and recreational activities 2023 Department of Education & Youth
Advice and professional development for school and recreational staff 2024 Department of Education & Youth
Health-promoting school and recreational activities 2025 Department of Education & Youth
Sexual health awareness 2024 Department of Education & Youth
Children's voices in decisions that concern them 2023 Department of Education & Youth
Implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child 2023 Department of Education & Youth
Implementation of the Prosperity Act 2025 Department of Education & Youth
Allocation of funds in preschools and recreational activities 2025 Department of Education & Youth
Collaboration with the University of Iceland's School of Education 2022 Department of Education & Youth
Development and Innovation Fund for the Department of Education & Youth 2024 Department of Education & Youth
Building policy for school and recreational activities 2023 Department of Education & Youth

Department of Environment & Planning
Joint use of school and after-school facilities 2024 Department of Education & Youth

Department of Welfare
Professional development on language and literacy 2023 Department of Education & Youth
Increased cultural sensitivity and cultural literacy 2023 Department of Education & Youth
Rainbow Certification in school and recreation 2025 Department of Education & Youth
Education Innovation Lab 2023 Department of Education & Youth
The Reykjavík City Cultural Curriculum 2024 Department of Education & Youth