Digital learning: embracing apps and new technologies in education

Engaging and motivating students in the classroom can be difficult. Therefore, ICT tools, including apps and web platforms, are crucial. These tools help teachers communicate, collaborate, and share knowledge effectively, maintaining students' attention. Mastering interactive learning techniques is essential to provide students with a dynamic and engaging learning experience.

​The most recent edition of the course “Making the most of new technologies, apps and social media in the classroom​” was held in Palermo from 07/07/2024 to 13/07/2024. The participants came from all around Europe, with Andrés Flórez Fernández, from Cp Gesta, in Spain; with Laura Fernández-Aliseda Garrido, from EOI Dos Hermanas, in Spain; with Daniela Tietz, from Berufliche Schulen Landsberg am Lech, from Germany; with Sarjit Verik, from City of Dublin ETB - Colaiste Dhulaigh College of Further Education, in Ireland; with Cândida Maria Vidal de Matos Paulino e Carlos, Joaquim da Conceição Carlos and Maria de Fátima Sanches Henriques, from Agrupamento de Escolas de Pinhel, from Portugal; with Podaru Ioan Lucian, from Liceul Teoretic Miron Costin Iasi, in Romania; and finally with Desislava Spasova Bachorska and Anita Stefchova Todorova, from 50th Secondary school Vasil Levski, in Bulgaria.

Throughout this course, participants gained skills in using various technological tools and integrating them into their teaching methods. Initially, they explored and experimented with ICT tools through activities with the trainer using different applications and platforms. This allowed them to see the benefits and importance of interactivity and the freedom to share new elements, which can enhance future lessons. These modern, playful tools aim to promote collaboration, participation, idea sharing, creativity, and alertness. Engaging in the digital world offered opportunities to practice online activities like quizzes, polls, presentations, educational games, and interacting with an AI educational platform.
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Following the exploration of each new tool, the trainer provided a brief theoretical explanation on how these tools can be created, shared online, and subsequently used by the participants for their own purposes.

In the final stage of the session, participants independently created their own apps or platforms by following a step-by-step tutorial, which helped them better understand the settings. They sought further clarification and advice when needed. Despite their different needs, they shared a common goal of utilizing ICT tools to facilitate training and learning. Fortunately, they were able to save the tutorials and their creations from the week.
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Additionally, participants learned to create a website using simple steps. The course introduced them to an easy drag-and-drop tool to help them build a website for their schools.

​By the end of the course, participants could appreciate their progress in discovering and acquiring new skills in interactive learning. In summary, applying this new learning approach in the classroom will significantly enhance students' creativity, engagement, attention, and motivation, transforming learning into a fun and dynamic experience.

Discover more about this course here.