Unleashing Creativity in Digital Teaching and Learning

Course overview

This immersive 5-day course is designed to empower educators and professionals to foster creativity in digital classrooms and learning environments. Participants will explore the significance of integrating creativity into educational practices and gain hands-on experience with various digital tools and platforms. Through a combination of theoretical insights and practical activities, participants will develop the skills and confidence to create engaging and innovative learning experiences.

The course will delve into the concept of creativity in education, examining its role in enhancing student engagement, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities. Participants will learn strategies for cultivating a creative mindset and nurturing a culture of innovation in their respective educational settings.

Emphasis will be placed on hands-on exploration of various digital tools and platforms, including Canva, VistaCreate, PicsArt, Mentimeter, Visme, Kahoot, Jamboard, Trello, Mural, Miro, Jitsi, and ClickUp. Through interactive workshops and collaborative activities, participants will gain practical experience in utilizing these tools to create visually appealing and interactive learning materials, facilitate group discussions, and foster collaboration among learners.

To enhance the learning experience and provide cultural context, the course will incorporate a guided visit to a local museum or heritage site. Participants will have the opportunity to explore the cultural richness of the area and draw inspiration for integrating creative elements into their teaching and learning practices.

Tentative schedule:

Day 1: Unleashing the power of creativity in education

Icebreakers and networking activities
Introduction to the course and participants
Overview of the course methodology and expectations
Brief overview of tools covered by the course
Exploring the role of creativity in digital classrooms
Understanding the benefits of integrating creativity into educational practices
Strategies for cultivating a creative mindset and nurturing innovation

Day 2: Mastering visual design and multimedia creation

Introduction to digital tools for creative teaching and learning
Hands-on workshops: Canva, VistaCreate, PicsArt (visual design and multimedia creation)
Collaborative activities and peer feedback
Presentation of the group projects

Day 3: Drawing inspiration from cultural heritage

Cultural visit (e.g. museum, heritage site) guided in English
Pre-visit: Relevant background, cultural and social media presence information
Post-visit: Incorporating cultural elements into creative teaching and learning
Website analysis: Methods and digital tools local organizations use to present their educational materials

Day 4: Interactive presentations, quizzes, and collaborative tools

Hands-on workshops: Mentimeter, Visme, Kahoot (interactive presentations and quizzes)
Hands-on workshops: Jamboard, Trello, Mural (collaborative whiteboards and project management)
Peer teaching and feedback sessions
Presentation of the group projects

Day 5: Facilitating virtual collaboration and course wrap-up

Hands-on workshops: Miro, Jitsi, ClickUp (virtual collaboration and communication tools)
Developing a creative lesson plan or learning activity using chosen digital tools
Course evaluation and feedback
Certification ceremony

The classes typically run from 9 in the morning to 2 in the afternoon, with the afternoon and evening reserved for self-reflection and individual study. However, the course schedule may be adjusted to accommodate the preferences of the participants and the availability of instructors or external learning locations. Participants will receive the finalized schedule well in advance, allowing ample time for preparation and planning.

Learning outcomes:

The participants will be able to:

Analyze the concept of creativity in education and its significance in digital classrooms.
Evaluate strategies for cultivating a creative mindset and nurturing innovation in educational settings.
Utilize various digital tools and platforms, including Canva, VistaCreate, PicsArt, Mentimeter, Visme, Kahoot, Jamboard, Trello, Mural, Miro, Jitsi, and ClickUp, to create engaging and interactive learning materials.
Design visually appealing and multimedia-rich educational resources using visual design tools.
Develop interactive presentations and quizzes to enhance student engagement and assessment.
Construct collaborative whiteboards and project management tools to foster teamwork and organization.
Employ virtual collaboration and communication tools to facilitate remote learning and collaboration.
Integrate cultural elements and inspiration from local heritage into creative teaching and learning practices.
Create a creative lesson plan or learning activity that incorporates digital tools and innovative approaches.
Evaluate and provide constructive feedback on peers’ creative teaching and learning strategies.

Course fee:

400 euro per participant (covered entirely by the Erasmus grant)

Course fee includes:

At least 25 hours of course content;
Course materials;
Certificate of participation;
Europass, on request;
Learning / Mobility Agreement;
Visits to local institutions, if available;
Personalized support;
Free high-speed WIFI internet at the POU Čakovec premises;
Refreshments;
Administration costs;
Dissemination materials.

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