Empowering collaboration: Highlights from the FLeD project workshops

by | Dec 22, 2024

The FLeD project workshops, conducted by partners across multiple institutions, were designed to engage educators, academics, and stakeholders in exploring innovative approaches to flexible learning. These workshops, entitled FLeD project: towards flipped and flexible learning, followed a shared structure, emphasizing collaboration, knowledge sharing, and hands-on experimentation to familiarize participants with the project’s tools and methodologies.

General workshop organization

According to the FLeD Roadmap, the project’s pilot entered the Discussion Phase in July 2024 with key tasks, including face-to-face workshops for discussion and feedback. These workshops, organized as part of Milestone 6, Task 5, aimed to:

● Present the project and main pilot results.

● Share participants’ experiences.

● Discuss the transference of results into partner institutions.

Each workshop followed a general structure:

1. Welcoming: opening remarks by partner representatives.

2. Invited speaker communication: expert talks to set the tone for the session.

3. Project presentation: FLeD project objectives, achievements, and pilot results overview.

4. Participant experience sharing: facilitated discussions highlighting best practices, challenges, and lessons learned during pilot implementations.

5. Hands-On activity: interactive exercises, like exploring the FLeD tool or engaging in group discussions.

6. Results transference discussion: strategies for implementing findings within institutions and planning for future integration of flexible learning methods.

7. Closing: summary of the session and next steps.

Workshops were face-to-face or hybrid in modality, with a minimum of 20 participants attending in person per institution, and typically lasted half a day. Each partner was responsible for organizing the event locally and collecting feedback to inform the refinement of the pilot project.

University of Stavanger workshop

Highlights from partner institutions

UniTN: a collaborative seminar on FLeD and flexible classrooms

The University of Trento hosted its seminar on 29 October in collaboration with FormID (Unitn Teaching Centre). The session presented the first results of the FLeD project, with teachers from the pilot phase sharing their experiences in a double interview conducted by Anna Serbati. The workshop also included a hands-on session where participants explored the tool and materials/patterns, familiarizing themselves with the platform and the proposed flexible models.

University of Trento Workshop

UAB: insights and experimentation

Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona held its workshop on 29th October in collaboration with the Training Unit (Unitat de Formació). The session opened with a welcome speech, followed by an expert talk by Ramon Palau and a presentation of key results. Testimonials from two pilot teachers highlighted practical applications, and a hands-on activity allowed participants to experiment with the patterns. The workshop welcomed about 40 participants, including academics and teacher trainers.

Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona Workshop

SU: a hybrid learning experience

On 7th November, Sofia University conducted a hybrid workshop attended by 30 on-site and 15 online participants. Prof. Roumiana Peytcheva-Forsyth opened the session with a welcome speech and an overview of the FLeD project’s objectives and benefits. Professor Blagovesna Yovkova presented the inclusion strategy and shared inclusive learning scenarios. Professor Borislava Ivanova from Veliko Tarnovo University joined online to share her pilot-phase experiences and design guidelines. Professor Veronica Racheva demonstrated the FLeD project website and guided participants through creating learning scenarios using the platform. The session concluded with hands-on activities, and materials were shared with all 49 registered professors.

Sofia University Workshop

UPF: showcasing innovation

On 14th November 2024, Universitat Pompeu Fabra conducted a training session introducing participants to the FLeD project and tool. The session included a teacher’s insights from the pilot, hands-on activities, and a discussion on flexible learning design. Attended by 22 participants, including members of the Teaching Innovation Unit, the session emphasized the adaptability and inclusivity of the FLeD tool. A guest speaker – Dr. Batuhan Sayis – discussed innovative approaches, such as Affective Computing and wearables, to enhance educational inclusivity, aligning with the project’s goals.

Universitat Popeu Fabra Workshop

UAb: a global perspective

Universidade Aberta’s workshop on 29th October began with a welcome speech by Luisa Aires, LE@D Scientific Coordinator, followed by an introduction to the FLeD project by Lina Morgado, FLeD Coordinator. A talk by Cláudia Gomes, Digital Learning Developer, preceded an expert presentation on “Approaches to Flexible Digital Education” by Mariya Zhelev from Burgas Free University, Bulgaria. Testimonials from three pilot teachers provided practical insights. The session concluded with a closing address by Vice-Rector Diogo Casanova and Lina Morgado. The workshop was attended by 20 in-person and 58 online participants, including academics and teacher trainers.

Universidade Aberta Workshop

UiS: driving internal engagement

The University of Stavanger conducted its FLeD workshop on November 5, and details were shared through the UiS Intranet. The session highlighted the project’s advancements and engaged participants in discussions about flexible learning design.

University of Stavanger Workshop

Key takeaways

The workshops across partner institutions yielded several important outcomes:

Enhanced collaboration: the events underscored the value of partnership and shared expertise in achieving the FLeD project’s objectives.

Innovative solutions: participants developed actionable ideas and prototypes to advance flexible learning.

Shared vision: These workshops strengthened the collective commitment to fostering inclusive and adaptable educational models.

Looking ahead

As the FLeD project progresses, the insights and connections from these workshops will play a pivotal role in driving its success. Stay tuned for the following milestones and updates on our journey towards transforming higher education through flexible learning design.

The FLeD project workshops, conducted by partners across multiple institutions, were designed to engage educators, academics, and stakeholders in exploring innovative approaches to flexible learning. These workshops, entitled FLeD project: towards flipped and flexible learning, followed a shared structure, emphasizing collaboration, knowledge sharing, and hands-on experimentation to familiarize participants with the project's tools and methodologies.