Illumine – A community for exploring and sharing uses of evidence-based teaching strategies Erasmus Project

Project Title

Illumine – A community for exploring and sharing uses of evidence-based teaching strategies

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for school education

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2020

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Overcoming skills mismatches (basic/transversal); New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training courses; ICT – new technologies – digital competences

Project Summary

ILLUMINE supports school education teachers in implementing evidence-based teaching practices with technology and in understanding the science of learning theory (cognitive science, neuroscience) that underlies these practices. ILLUMINE facilitates teachers in sharing their implementations via case studies, lesson plans, and learning activities that are documented in an online community platform, published in a digital handbook, and shared via research publications. Together, these efforts strive to develop the inquiry stance of educators and foster a mindset of “teachers as researchers”.

PROJECT CONTEXT
European higher educational institutes and formal educational entities are dedicated to supporting teachers in their learning paths. Yet, there is a recognised need to update the tools and resources available to teachers both to support teachers in designing learning activities based on the science of learning and to deliver individual oriented activities with technology. “The rapid expansion of digital learning tools and Open Educational Resources creates the need for teachers to acquire sufficient understanding of these to be able to develop relevant digital competences and make effective and appropriate use of them in teaching. These new tools can also contribute to ensuring equal access to high quality education for all” [European Council Conclusions on effective teacher education, 20 May 2014 ].

OBJECTIVES
ILLUMINE contributes to improving the quality of learning and teaching in school education by supporting teachers (pre-service and in-service) with digital open educational resources to aid in planning and delivering learning experiences with the use of technology that are based on the science of learning. ILLUMINE is an extension of Project IlluminatED, (2017-1-ES01-KA201-038220) which delivered professional development workshops on the Science of Learning for educators. The workshops were well-received, however, participating teachers noted some obstacles that prevented them from implementing what they had learned. ILLUMINE helps teachers overcome such obstacles by working directly on the implementation of practices with teachers and generating practical examples (case studies) for others to follow. The generation and sharing of examples serve to empower teachers and facilitate their contributions toward “a strong and coherent body of professional knowledge owned by the teaching profession, and to which teachers feel responsible and accountable” [Teaching and Learning International Survey TALIS 2018 Insights and Interpretations].

PARTICIPANTS
School education and vocational teachers in four countries (Spain, Portugal, Serbia, Estonia) participate in the project. The consortium includes schools, higher educational and social enterprises with expertise in the fields of neuroscience, education technology, and teacher development. Partners are experienced in bridging research and practice in educational settings.

METHODOLOGY
ILLUMINE involves expert partners and school partners in each partner country. The experts and schools work together to implement the evidence-based practices over the course of the project. Together, the project participants generate case studies that can be shared with peers, contribute to academic studies for the scientific community, and support an open online community for educators.

ACTIVITIES
ILLUMINE produces (1) a toolkit that includes 6 rounds of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) workshops for school education teachers; (2) a digital handbook on practical uses (i.e. case studies) of evidence-based teaching practices involving ICT tools; (3) an open online community platform that fosters the sharing and reuse of evidence-based practices with practical examples; (4) research studies and publications related to educator aspirations, motivation, self-efficacy and knowledge in using evidence-based teaching strategies; (5) mobility training for teachers to make use of the toolkit; and (6) teaching symposiums held in each partner country.

RESULTS & IMPACT
ILLUMINE brings schools, SMEs and international academic institutions together. It empowers teachers and schools through various activities (training, work on case studies, multiplier events), channels (online and in person) and tools (handbook, research papers). Overall, the project contributes toward raising the quality of teaching, training and learning in school education with its focus on the practical skill development of teachers through in-service training activities that are supported by information and communications technologies (ICT). Participating teachers will be better able to use evidence-based practices and new ICT tools; understand the science of learning; and contribute to professional knowledge owned by the teaching profession.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 267297 Eur

Project Coordinator

UNIVERSIDAD POMPEU FABRA & Country: ES

Project Partners

• archi PLAY doo
• Escola Pia Sarrià-Calassanç
• UNIVERZITET U BEOGRADU
• TALLINN UNIVERSITY
• Associação Kokoro