Abstract:

The undertaken topic constitutes part of various discussions concerning, among others the new roles and tasks of school also in its immediate surroundings; trends in forms, methods and tools of learning and teaching; establishing educational environments that offer subjects and activities capable of cognitive engagement of the youngest generation of learners. Another task of schools, including universities, is to develop attitudes of openness to diversity, innovation and creative cooperation within the learning environment.

The paper focus:
The purposes of the study, presented also in the form of a poster, include:
a) presentation of selected non-standard places or spaces to learn (their characteristics), specific for the analysed area of activity – cooperation between schools and the local communities;
b) getting to know the character (e.g. exemplary programs, projects or educational initiatives) and the principles of the above-mentioned cooperation and directions of its development;
c) exploration of the possibilities of utilising the resources of school/university partners (also cultural and social centres), not only in active, empirical or collaborative learning.

Conclusions:
The first conclusions of the theoretical studies, combined with own professional experience (the author is also one of the coordinators of the cooperation of the Faculty of Education with the social and economic environment), show among others that in the case of the analysed activities, an important role is played by the level of local social capital, including social commitment of individuals, information and communication channels, as well as trust built between all stakeholders investing in education.

Keywords:

Schools, openness to local environment, community resources, partners in learning, multidisciplinary cultural spaces, “new” learning places design.