Unleashing Student Engagement through Innovative Teaching Methodologies and EdTech Tools

Course overview

This immersive 5-day course is designed to empower educators with innovative methodologies and cutting-edge educational technology (EdTech) tools to transform their classrooms into dynamic, engaging, and student-centered learning environments. Participants will explore a range of active methodologies, cooperative learning strategies, and project-based learning approaches that promote student engagement, critical thinking, and real-world application.

The course will delve into the advantages of active methodologies, empowering participants to create a more engaging teaching experience. Participants will learn to leverage a diverse range of EdTech tools and resources, transforming their classrooms into digital learning environments where students can practice and enhance their digital skills.

Emphasis will be placed on the principles of cooperative learning, enabling participants to design cooperative learning structures that promote collaboration, teamwork, and shared responsibility among students. The course will also introduce participants to project-based learning, offering strategies to integrate real-world activities into their daily classroom practices, thereby increasing student motivation and relevance.

Participants will gain insights into the flipped classroom methodology and learn how to effectively incorporate it into various subject curricula. Additionally, they will explore the concept of blended learning and develop scenarios for its implementation within their respective educational institutions.

The course will provide participants with resources and strategies to train their students in using technology critically and responsibly. Participants will learn to design motivating activities for their students, catering to diverse learning scenarios, including online, in-school, and outdoor environments.

To enhance the learning experience and provide a cultural context, the course will incorporate a guided visit to a local museum, heritage site, or eco-conscious initiative. This visit will allow participants to explore the cultural richness of the area, draw inspiration from sustainable practices, and gain insights into incorporating inclusive and green dimensions into their teaching methodologies.

Tentative schedule:

Day 1: Welcoming and cultural immersion

Icebreakers and networking activities
Introduction to the course and participants
Overview of the course methodology and expectations
Overview of ICT tools and context in which they are used
Group work: Digital analysis of use and digital ICT equipment at your organisation
Discussion about the state-of-play

Day 2 : Engaging students with active methodologies and EdTech tools

Networking activity: Presentation of participants’ schools and Erasmus projects
Advantages of active methodologies for student engagement
Exploring EdTech tools for dynamic education
Creating a digital classroom environment
Group work: Designing engaging lesson plans using active methodologies and EdTech tools

Day 3: Flipped classroom and blended learning approaches

Introduction to the flipped classroom methodology
Exploring (digital) flipped classroom tools
Understanding blended learning
Hands-on with blended learning platforms
Group work: Developing a flipped classroom or blended learning scenario

Day 4: Fostering collaboration through cooperative learning

Cultural visit (e.g. museum, heritage site) guided in English to explore local heritage and environmental practices
First steps in cooperative learning
Cooperative learning roles and rules
Cooperative learning dynamics and activities
Group work: Planning cooperative learning activities for an environmental topic connected with the cultural visit

Day 5: Project-based learning and course wrap-up

Introduction to project-based learning: From designing to assessing
Group work: Developing a project-based learning unit or activity
Presentation of group works
Peer review and feedback
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 advantages of active methodologies in creating an engaging and inclusive teaching and learning environment that fosters student engagement.
Utilize a diverse range of EdTech tools and resources to transform their classrooms into digital learning environments that promote digital literacy and student engagement.
Design cooperative learning structures that promote collaboration, teamwork, shared responsibility, and inclusivity among students, fostering engagement and active participation.
Integrate project-based learning activities into their daily classroom practices, offering real-world experiences, increasing student motivation, promoting inclusivity, and enhancing engagement.
Implement the flipped classroom methodology in various subject curricula, leveraging technology for self-paced and inclusive learning, and promoting student engagement.
Develop blended learning scenarios tailored to their educational institutions, combining face-to-face and online learning experiences to cater to diverse learners and enhance engagement.
Evaluate resources and strategies for training students in the critical and responsible use of technology, promoting digital citizenship and active learning.
Create motivating activities for students in diverse learning scenarios, including online, in-school, and outdoor environments, catering to different learning styles and needs, and fostering student engagement.
Collaborate with international organizations and share experiences of cross-cultural projects, fostering European awareness, promoting inclusivity, and enhancing student engagement.
Incorporate inclusive and green dimensions into their teaching methodologies, drawing inspiration from cultural visits and sustainable practices, and promoting student engagement with real-world issues.
Develop engaging lesson plans, learning scenarios, and activities that integrate innovative methodologies and EdTech tools, fostering student engagement and active participation.

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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