Center for innovations and digital education Dig-Ed was leading partner together with Harmony Academy from Slovakia in the development of a blended course “Innovative technology in the LCA classroom” as part of the NELCA project.
The course Innovative technology in the LCA classroom is a blended course aiming to equip educators with practical knowledge and skills to effectively integrate innovative technologies into learner-centered teaching, enhancing students’ interest, motivation, engagement and collaboration.
By the end of the course, participants will be equipped to recognize the role of technology in enhancing learner-centered teaching approaches. They will be able to explore and critically assess a variety of innovative digital tools that support active learning in the classroom. Participants will learn to design technology-supported activities that not only engage students but also promote their independence and ownership of learning. Additionally, the course will help educators foster essential 21st-century skills such as digital collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking. Finally, participants will gain practical knowledge to implement blended learning models effectively in their own teaching environments.
The training was developed in response to a needs analysis conducted with educators from North Macedonia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Lithuania, and Latvia, ensuring that the content addressed the specific challenges and priorities identified across these diverse educational contexts.
The pilot training will include asynchronous online components (self-paced) and a 3-day onsite workshop (3 hours/day):
- Online activities introduce concepts and tools, preparing participants for hands-on applications during onsite sessions.
- Onsite sessions focus on collaborative, practical work and peer interaction.
- Post-onsite online tasks reinforce learning and support ongoing implementation.
Before the onsite training starts, participants will engage in a series of preparatory activities designed to ensure they are well-oriented and ready to actively participate. They will introduce themselves on a shared Padlet board titled Getting to Know Each Other, where they can post a brief introduction and connect with fellow participants by commenting on others’ posts. Participants are also expected to review the course overview, which provides essential information about the training structure, learning objectives, and the draft agenda. In addition, they should go through the pre-course materials provided and familiarize themselves with the digital tools that will be used during the workshop. Introduction videos for different digital tools were created and the possibilities for their implementation in the classroom was explained. You can watch these videos at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLixCqUMszvglRhNXwb4w5bBmWjUrtmuBz. Participants will have also
The onsite training will span three days, with each session lasting three hours. Every day is carefully structured to include a balanced mix of brief presentations, interactive hands-on activities, collaborative group work, and reflective discussions. This approach is designed to maintain high levels of participant engagement and ensure meaningful learning within the 3-hour timeframe.
The first day will be focused on digital tools that foster collaboration and engagement in learner-centered classroom. Gamified formative assessment and use of AI in education, including ethical use will be discussed during the second day and on the third day participants will design engaging technology-integrated materials
