Embracing ICT in Education to Enhance Classroom Engagement and Motivation

In modern classrooms, maintaining the students’ interests and their engagement can be difficult, so for that, it's crucial for educators to use ICT tools such as apps and online platforms to effectively connect with students and engage them with the class content they teach. These technologies introduce innovative and exciting methods to make learning more interactive and enjoyable, helping to keep students attentive and motivated.

The new edition of the course “Integrating ICT, new technologies and AI tools into teaching and education” took place in Bologna from 18/08/2024 to 24/08/2024. The participants came from across Europe, with Annika, Paul, and Pia, coming from the German Bayerischer Volkshochschulverband e.V., Evi and Ine from IKSO Hoeselt, Belgium. Marina, Maria Isabel, María Rosa, María de los Ángeles, coming from C.E.I.P San Fernando, Spain. Kornélia from the Hungarian Áldás Utcai Általános Iskola, Luis, from ETEO in Portugal, and Stanisław, Wojciech, Jarosław, and Wojciech from the Polish SZKOŁA PODSTAWOWA im. Tadeusza Kościuszki.

The week began with "get to know each other" activities and icebreakers using collaborative tools, which fostered interaction and teamwork. This helped set a positive tone and made participants feel comfortable with each other. Throughout the course, participants examined various technological tools and discovered how to incorporate them into their teaching strategies. 

We began by exploring the latest developments in educational technology, with an emphasis on virtual whiteboards and interactive presentations tool. Hands-on sessions involved transforming their devices into virtual whiteboards enhanced with AI features, as well as utilizing collaborative walls to share and store ideas.

A day was dedicated to game-based learning tools that motivate students and make the classroom more fun and active. Participants explored the creation of digital group learning games, recognizing how these tools can turn traditional lessons into interactive experiences. These activities are designed to foster greater creativity among students. Video presentations were highlighted as an effective method to engage students and invigorate the classroom atmosphere.

The focus shifted to Artificial Intelligence (AI), with an introduction to using ChatGPT in the classroom and exploring AI-powered tools, acquiring insights into the seven elements of a good prompt. Through an interesting discussion, they analyzed all the potential, the benefits but also the traps of using AI tools without sufficient knowledge of them. It was a particularly fun day, as participants created songs and theatrical plays thanks to the help of Al :)

This course provided participants with the opportunity to share experiences and knowledge while learning together. They left with a wealth of new skills in interactive learning and a range of technological tools to apply in their teaching. These fresh approaches are sure to boost students' creativity, involvement, and enthusiasm!

Discover more about this course here.