Within the frameworks of Erasmus+ PRINTeL project in February-March, 2019 a Teacher Training (TT) Course aimed at retraining teaching staff members is programmed to be held at Belarusian State University (BSU).

The BSU trainers of the TT Course who took part in the ToT (Training of Teachers) courses at 5 EU Project partner universities (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Universitat de Barcelona, Universidade do Porto, Linköpings Universitet, FH Joanneum Gesellschaft mbH) have prepared training courses on teaching and learning in innovative methods for BSU teaching staff members and have planned to share with them all the experience they have previously gained during the abovementioned ToT courses. 

The TT courses are going to be delivered by the 15 ToT courses participants from TeSaU. It is envisaged that up to 150 BSU teaching staff members will pass the course.  

During the course BSU lecturers are going to be trained in a number of fields related to innovative technology-enhanced teaching and learning.

TT Course #15 “Hybrid/Blended Teaching and Learning"

Trainer: Senior Teacher Oksana Tozik (BSU Philological Faculty, English Linguistics Chair)

Within the framework of the Erasmus + PRINTeL project, the representatives of the academic teaching staff of BSU participated in the TT Course “Hybrid/Blended Teaching and Learning” (April 1-5).

In total 23 participants from the Faculty of Philology, Faculty of Law, Faculty of International Relations, Educational and methodical laboratory of innovations in education, National Institute for Higher Education attended the training seminars.

During training week participants had the opportunity to learn such an innovative approach as Blended learning, as well as developed their skills in use of LMS Moodle and other online tools in class and outside class.

In addition, the attendees improved their skills in computer technologies and application of computers for teaching and learning.

Training started with the presentation of the concept of PRINTeL project. Oksana Tozik gave a short overview of the project methodology and expected outcomes for the BSU academic community.

Trainees were working in the computer lab and learning how to use and implement IT into traditional teaching and learning practices at their home faculties.

The brainstorming session aimed at generating ideas on blended learning was followed by the work in Moodle in order to learn its opportunities, services and functionality. The seminar was aimed at the incorporation of Moodle-based technologies into the classroom by developing online-Portfolios to support students’ reflection processes.

All the participants were awarded with PRINTeL certificates.

For videos of the TT course, please, refer to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rspJ9IJAHs4&list=PLuK1Dqu4Ra0KFPUspHVeLFJlWThooXg7H&index=3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3ug9R4ITVk&list=PLuK1Dqu4Ra0KFPUspHVeLFJlWThooXg7H&index=2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lM8F7pO-gAE&list=PLuK1Dqu4Ra0KFPUspHVeLFJlWThooXg7H&index=1

TT Course #14 “Hybrid/Blended Teaching and Learning”

Trainer: Associate Professor Vasily Grinev (BSU Faculty of Biology)

In accordance with the planned activities of the Erasmus+ PRINTeL project, the representatives of the academic teaching staff of the BSU participated in the TT Course on “Hybrid/Blended Teaching and Learning”. This course was held at the Faculty of Biology for one week, April 1-5, 2019. In total, 19 participants attended the training seminars. These participants represent seven departments of the Faculty of Biology (Department of Biochemistry, Department of Cell Biology and Bioengineering of Plants, Department of General Ecology and Teaching Methodology in Biology, Department of Genetics, Department of Human and Animal Physiology, Department of Molecular Biology, Department of Zoology), two departments of the International Sakharov Environmental Institute of BSU (Department of Immunology and Ecological Epidemiology, Educational and Methodical Laboratory of Environmental Education), Department of General and Clinical Psychology at the Faculty of Philosophy and Social Sciences, Department of English for Humanities Faculties and four departments from the Republican Institute of Higher Education of BSU (Department of Educational Systems Design, Department of General and Clinical Psychology, Department of Modern Life Sciences, Department of Psychology and Pedagogical Skills).

The training week covered all main topics of blended learning: from basics of blended approach in teaching and learning to e-portfolio process. Each seminar included lecture presentation, tutorial, practical tasks for participants, reflections and group discussions. 

Participants presented and discussed their own vision concerning the advantages and disadvantages of blended teaching and learning.

Vasily Grinev presented the peculiarities of usage of video lectures in blended learning and used his own original video lecture as an example.

Trainees worked in small groups and developed e-tivities for their own university’s educational courses.