Applying new technologies to traditional and online teaching

In today’s classrooms, teaching is no longer limited to textbooks and whiteboards. The digital era has transformed the way students learn, communicate, and create. From interactive lessons and online collaboration to multimedia projects and digital storytelling, educators across Europe are reimagining how technology can open new doors for creativity and connection.

The courses “Making the most of new technologies, apps and social media in the classroom” and “Discover the best apps and tools for e-learning, distance learning and web design” were held together in Bologna from 19th to 25th October 2025, bringing together a group of passionate educators eager to explore how digital tools can transform their classrooms. Participants included Artur and Mariusz from 8 Liceum Ogólnokształcące Samorządowe i. gen. Sowińskiego in Poland; Paulina and Marta from Zespół Szkół Przemysłu Spożywczego im. J.J. Śniadeckich in Poland; Silvia from Studieskolen in Denmark; and Carmen, Luminița, and Irinel from Școala Gimnazială “Ion Creangă” Brăila in Romania.

Throughout the week, the group explored a wide range of digital tools designed to make lessons more engaging and interactive. From innovative apps for classroom collaboration to platforms for creating video lessons, quizzes, and e-learning materials, each participant had the chance to experiment and see how technology can help make learning more personalized and student-centered.

A key focus of the course was discovering how social media and online platforms can be used not just for communication, but as powerful teaching tools that encourage creativity, participation, and community building. Teachers practiced using apps that allow students to share their ideas visually, work together on digital projects, and connect classroom learning to real-world contexts.

The sessions also covered website design and e-learning development, giving teachers the confidence to create and manage their own online learning spaces. Participants learned how to design educational websites, blogs, and digital portfolios that could serve as both teaching tools and creative showcases for their students’ work.

Interactive learning played a central role throughout the week. Using real-time polls, collaborative boards, and AI-assisted tools, participants experienced firsthand how technology can turn lessons into meaningful, two-way exchanges. They also reflected on how to balance screen time with pedagogical purpose, ensuring that technology enhances rather than replaces the human connection at the heart of education.

By the end of the course, participants left Bologna with a richer understanding of how digital tools can inspire both teachers and students. They returned home with new confidence, creative strategies, and a practical toolkit to bring technology into their classrooms in ways that make learning more engaging, collaborative, and future-ready.

Discover more about this course here.