Abstract:

In this complex era which is characterised by enormous social, cultural and financial changes as well as the rapid development of science and technology and the speedy development of knowledge, the application of synthetic educational models emerges as a necessity.

This paper presents syneducational communities as an alternative proposal in order to approach the educational issues that concern us through a new perspective, with the utilization of the syneducational model, as this emerged through relevant research programs. Syneducation (synergy + education) has been internationally defined as the acquisition of a common educational experience, simultaneously and in collaboration, by people of different ages and/or different knowledge, experiences, interests and/or socio-cultural level. The syneducational model is a new emerging interdisciplinary research field which complements the usual social-pedagogic practices of adult and child education and combines methods, practices and processes which come from formal, informal and nonformal education.

Syneducational communities differentiate themselves from the logic of team learning or cooperative learning. Syneducational communities consist of individuals who can differ in many ways such as age, skills, interests, profession, sociocultural level etc. and who operate with mutual mentoring, in an interactive learning environment, where they develop substantial and active syneducational action so as to face common issues, improve and change an existing situation. The operation of syneducational communities is continued with intervention processes by the participants, who, through syneducational actions, interactions and transactions, gradually become multipliers. In these syneducational communities there is a strong network of social interaction, in which, additionally, social capital is produced and developed.

This paper mentions issues relevant to the operation of syneducational research communities. It presents the need for the creation of syneducational communities, their philosophical framework, their theoretical background, their research methodology, the assessment of their operation as well as examples from the operation of syneducational communities, results, reservations and prospects.

Keywords:

syneducation, systems science, human activity system (has), soft systems.