ENG 
GEO 
ARM 
Under the framework of the Erasmus+ PROVE project (“Promoting Values-Based Education in the South Caucasus”), Kh. Abovyan Armenian State Pedagogical University hosted a specialized training course titled “Values and Knowledge Education (VaKE) Model: Theory and Practice.”
The event drew an impressive turnout, with 77 teachers from diverse multidisciplinary backgrounds and various schools throughout Armenia gathering to enhance their professional toolkit.
In today’s rapidly changing world, education is no longer just about reciting facts; it is about shaping character and critical thinking. The training focused on the VaKE model, an innovative approach that integrates moral values with academic knowledge through the use of “dilemma stories.”
The sessions were led by a distinguished panel of experts: Lilit Mkrtchyan, ASPU Acting Rector; Mariana Avetisyan, Acting Head of the Chair of Applied Psychology and Marine Matosyan, Vice-Dean for Science and International Cooperation.
The intensive 4-hour program offered a deep dive into the psychological and pedagogical roots of the VaKE model, covering:
- Theoretical Foundations: Participants explored the intersection of Jean Piaget’s and Lev Vygotsky’s constructivist theories with Lawrence Kohlberg’s stages of moral development.
- The Power of Dilemmas: Teachers learned how to construct “value dilemmas”—scenarios that force students to weigh conflicting moral choices—while simultaneously learning core subject matter (Science, History, Literature, etc.).
- Pedagogical Shift: The transition from traditional behaviorism toward a constructivist approach, where students are active participants in their own moral and intellectual growth.
Recognizing that a single day is only the beginning of mastering such a complex tool, the participants expressed a strong, collective willingness to participate in a follow-up practical workshop. The teachers specifically requested:
- Dilemma Construction: Hands-on guidance on how to write “dilemma stories” tailored to specific subjects like History, Science, and Literature.
- Classroom Simulation: Practical tools and techniques for facilitating debates without imposing personal biases on students.
- Curriculum Integration: Concrete strategies for aligning value-based education with the existing Armenian national curriculum.
The PROVE project aims to integrate values education into higher education curricula across the South Caucasus, develop relevant courses, retrain professors, and actively involve communities beyond universities in this process.
