The training stage of the “Building Innovative Teaching Capacities in VET (Development of Research and Digital Skills)” project, implemented with the support of the H. Hovnanian Family Foundation, is summarised. On April 2, an online workshop was conducted as part of the project with the participation of IT teachers. The aim was to summarise the training outcomes, identify issues and challenges and outline upcoming steps.
The workshop highlighted that the training contributed to the development of teachers' research skills, which are already used in the educational process. VET institutions are taking clear steps to integrate research assignments and data-driven analysis into the teaching process.
As a result, student engagement has increased, demonstrated by active participation in research assignments, proactiveness and cultivation of analytical thinking. Meanwhile, the teaching process has shifted from traditional methods to more practical and analytical approaches.
The teachers’ practice indicates the application of specific mechanisms, particularly:
- integration of research activities into modules;
- individual and small group works;
- benchmarking for evaluating the effectiveness of different approaches;
- observation cards for data collection and analysis.
Particular emphasis was placed on the development of skills in systematic data recording and the formulation of well-grounded conclusions, which contributes to the formation of students' research skills.
The dissemination of practice and cooperation among VET institutions were also highlighted. In this context, it was proposed to organise open classes and class observations, as well as internal presentations and professional discussions. It was stressed that the sharing of visible outcomes and the dissemination of practical examples are more effective.
To analyse this stage of the project and its outcomes, ANQA applies a multi-method KPI evaluation approach. This includes participant surveys, focus group discussions with trainers, and feedback from VET institutions.
In the upcoming months, continuous workshops are planned to track the participants' progress and provide targeted feedback. At the end of the academic year, a final conference will be held to share the project outcomes and disseminate best practices among VET specialists.
The participants agreed that the training has created a positive dynamic. The newly developed research and digital skills are already producing a visible impact on the educational process and demonstrate significant potential for capacity building within the VET system.