Integrating new technologies into traditional and online teaching methods

In recent years, traditional education has had to make room for virtual lessons and online classes. This shift required educators and students to adapt and rethink how teaching and learning could take place remotely. In this context, the use of new technologies, digital tools, and interactive learning platforms proved to be a highly effective strategy. These innovations enabled teachers worldwide to create engaging and dynamic virtual classrooms. Moreover, the same tools have demonstrated their value in traditional classroom settings, particularly in capturing students’ attention and enthusiasm for learning.

​The new edition of the course “Making the most of new technologies, apps and social media in the classroom”concentrated exactly on these matters. This session of the course took place in Palermo from 04/05/2025 to 10/05/2025. The participants came from all across Europe: Wioleta Lasocka, Justyna Pawlicka and Aleksandra Kowalska from Szkoła Podstawowa nr 5 im. Polskiej Macierzy Szkolnej w Czeladzi in Poland, Luís Filipe Rodrigues dos Santos and Gina Maria Simões Fernandes from Agrupamento de Escolas de Proença a Nova in Portugal, Marina Clar González and Verónica García Díaz from IES San José in Spain, Paweł Jokiel and Sławomir Sitko from Szkoła Podstawowa nr 51 im. Jana Pawła II we Wrocławiu in Poland and Miguel Hernández Vera and Pedro José Martínez Gómez from CEA Cartagena in Spain.

​During this course, participants learned to use a wide range of technological tools and integrate them into their teaching methods. The goal was to apply these new technologies in both physical and virtual classrooms to enhance teaching effectiveness and ease.

​To begin with, participants explored simple yet effective tools for editing images and videos, which can significantly enhance the teaching process. These tools can be used for a variety of purposes, such as creating multimedia content, introducing new topics, reviewing previously covered material, or encouraging students to produce their own work while fostering creativity and engagement.

​Another topic covered was website creation, an important tool for distance learning. Participants learned how to set up different pages and enrich them with content, allowing them to personalize their sites. This included writing blogs to document project development, creating digital portfolios, and more.

​The course continued with an exploration of various tools designed for collecting and sharing educational resources and content. Participants were introduced to platforms that allow users to gather and enhance videos, images, texts, PDFs, and other materials, then share them with students with just a single click. These tools are particularly useful for describing different parts of an image—especially in scientific subjects—or for providing richer context when introducing new topics, such as in foreign language instruction. Additionally, participants practiced using collaborative platforms that function as shared digital walls, where each user is encouraged to contribute, helping to build a more comprehensive collection of information.

​Among the many tools explored, participants also learned about interactive presentations that allow teachers to actively engage students by incorporating polls, word clouds, and opportunities for questions or feedback during lessons. They also practiced creating video lessons—especially effective in today’s educational landscape—and using online quizzes, which are effective tools for assessing student progress.

​The participants left this course not only with new knowledge of interactive learning and new technologies but also with a new set of tools, ready to use them in their real and online lessons. There is no doubt that this approach will enhance students’ creativity, engagement, attention and motivation, helping to transform learning into a dynamic and enjoyable experience.

Discover more about this course here.
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