Integrating ICT, new technologies and AI tools into teaching and education

It is not always easy to keep the classroom motivated, engaged and enthusiastic when it comes to teaching. This is when ICT tools such as apps and web platforms become essential in helping teachers to communicate and transfer knowledge while also maintaining their students’ full attention. Nowadays it is fundamental to know our way around interactive learning so that we can offer our students an alternative and non-traditional style of learning and keep them engaged. 
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The new edition of the course “Integrating ICT and new technologies into teaching and education​” took place in Bologna from 23/02/2025 - 01/03/2025. The participants came from all across Europe, with Irina Furedi, Irina-Eleonora Zaharia, Botezatu Vasilica-Leana, Teodora Cozma, Corina Dan and Mihaela Bănică from Romania, Barbara Ufnal - Budzyła, Iwona Skórska, Agnieszka Pawelec, Monika Staszczak and Małgorzata Moroz from Poland, Dalia Garbinčienė and Marius Jonaitis from Lithuania.

During this course, the participants learnt how to use a vast range of technological tools and to put them into use by integrating them into their teaching methods.

On the first day, the participants got to know each other through various activities and shared their expectations for the course. After that, they explored interactive and collaborative boards, which enabled them to start sharing best practices. These tools foster engagement and provide a platform for teachers to create dynamic and collaborative learning experiences.

On the following day, the focus shifted to tools for creating interactive presentations, surveys and group-based quizzes. Participants also received an overview of video based tools and explored digital applications for the educational field.  The tools mentioned are highly effective for teaching and can serve various purposes, such as preparing multimedia content, introducing a new subject, or summarizing an old one. Video presentations, in particular, are useful for engaging students and capturing their attention.

Midweek, the group worked with tools designed to create engaging quizzes, emphasizing their use in the formative assessment of both individual and group tasks. Practical activities included experimenting with virtual quizzes to make assessments both fun and educational for students.

On the fourth day,  participants delved into the fascinating world of artificial intelligence, including the use of ChatGPT. The session began with a brainstorming activity followed by a debate about AI usages in the educational field. It provided insights and hands-on practice on how AI can support teaching by generating ideas, creating engaging content, and enhancing overall classroom interaction.  

The final day was dedicated to a workshop where participants practiced and created materials using the tools explored throughout the course. They were also introduced to digital worksheets with time for both presentation and practical application. 

Throughout the course, participants gained hands-on experience with a wide variety of digital tools to enhance the teaching-learning process. Through interactive activities and discussions, they explored innovative ways to engage students, assess learning and integrate AI into educational environments. 

This course enabled participants to exchange ideas and learn from one another’s experiences. They left with new knowledge of interactive learning and a fresh set of tools, ready to implement them in their classrooms. There is no doubt that this approach will boost students’ creativity, engagement, attention, and motivation, transforming learning into a fun and dynamic activity!

Discover more about this course here.