Introduction
The path that I document here refers to the digital training dedicated to teachers of the IC Portella della Ginestra. In an era in which technology permeates every aspect of our daily lives, it becomes increasingly essential that the education sector also adapts and fully exploits the potential offered by digitalisation.
This path was designed with the aim of offering my esteemed colleagues the tools, skills and knowledge necessary to effectively and innovatively integrate digital technologies into their teaching. It's not just about becoming familiar with digital tools, but understanding how to use them strategically to enhance students' learning experience and prepare them for the future.
Recognizing that the transition to digital learning takes time and effort, this course was designed as a "digital aperitif," an opportunity to explore a wide range of apps and software, including coding, computational thinking, and digital learning resources. and much more. During the journey, we had the opportunity to discuss the possible practical applications of these technologies in our daily teaching life.
Introducing the teaching group of the 1st edition
We are the Digital Explorers - ready to navigate the digital world of learning with enthusiasm and determination!
The group of teachers of the 1st Edition was an interdisciplinary group coming from primary school, Kindergarten school and lower secondary school. Their strength was the educational experience and the common desire to explore the digital world together.
Introducing the teaching group of the 2nd edition
We are the Digital Innovators - determined to explore the frontiers of educational technology with passion and commitment!
The second group, although less numerous, is made up exclusively of primary school teachers. However, the enthusiasm for digital and innovative teaching was palpable and universal among participants, demonstrating a high and shared interest.
In summary
Determined digital explorers with passion and commitment!
A common characteristic of the two groups was the inexperience of the proposed digital contents, which was the common factor of growth and shared learning.
The two groups are very committed to exploring new technologies, resources and digital approaches to enrich educational practices. I believe that the moments of collaboration and sharing have increased the synergies between teachers, which can translate into an improved digital educational offer for our students with more significant and engaging learning experiences.
Our training course
The course took place at the IC Portella della Ginestra Institute - Vittoria - Sicily - Italy, divided into 4 meetings lasting two hours and thirty minutes each and two online meetings of the same duration. During the face-to-face sessions we sometimes gathered in the classroom to use sharing tools such as the touchscreen, while when we needed space for practical activities, we gathered in the FabLab. For online meetings we used GOOGLE Meet. During the course, we explored different platforms and produced examples of practical applications in daily teaching. In particular, we dedicated ourselves to the CODEWEEK platform and its resources, also planning events in collaboration with students. We had the opportunity to design with TINKERCAD and print objects in 3D, as well as build and experiment with the MERGE Cube, appreciating its AR impact in the study for students. Through SCRATCH, we created quizzes and interactive dialogues. We also explored ADOBE AI and learned how to build a web page as a tool for sharing experiences. Finally, we used BOOKCreator as a collaborative platform for writing and other small tools for editing images.
Alessandro Bogliolo, the Great Special Guest
After the Community's work in Brussels, scheduling a video call with Professor Alessandro Bogliolo, whom I consider my mentor in the field of coding since 2014, was a particularly significant goal for me. Not only did I wish to bring an authoritative voice into the group of my colleagues in training, but I also wanted to share with them the importance of a conscious and targeted approach to digital literacy and programming. On April 12th, this long-awaited moment finally came to fruition, eliciting palpable enthusiasm among my colleagues. This meeting reinforced their understanding that educational choices should not be driven by passing trends but by the belief that the future of our society is deeply intertwined with a solid digital literacy and mastery of programming.
When women and educators come together, greatness happens!
Today has been a truly special day, marking the conclusion of the course. Arjana, Eugenia, and Eirini, three exceptional women and members of the CodeWeek Team, have added invaluable value to our just-completed training journey. It was exciting to be able to share our experiences and the intention to continue this training path, which will enable us to become innovative and digital educators.