Innovative teachers and educators. Disruptive changes can happen in the classroom under the lead of very innovative teachers. For instance, elements of computing can be effectively introduced already in primary education as a cross curricula approach to teach critical thinking and creativity in the lesson. This approach should not forget that collaboration and team work is a crucial aspect of the learning process for kids of any age. Xxx Xxxx, Teacher and Kodu Europe national ambassador, from Colégio Xxxxx Xxxx, Portugal, introduced game development tools and other digital learning resources in his primary school classroom increasing the level of pupils’ attention and dedication and being able to transmit notions and competences more quickly and effectively. His main observations are the following: 🡺 Before introducing these elements in the lesson children were only consumers of digital tool (video games), now they are actively involved in digital creation processes. 🡺 Teachers can have a facilitation role in the classroom and become learners themselves. Pupil’s quote: “I can teach other students and my teachers how to code”. 🡺 Pupils are also creating teaching tutorials to transmit their knowledge to other pupils in the school. This contributes to bringing collaboration and peer learning beyond the classroom and age group of the learners. 🡺 Students develop all kinds of games, have different approaches and while exchanging ideas and plans, develop team-work, communication, collaboration, creativity and social skills. They also can connect ICT with STEM more easily and understand the link between what they study and the reality they live in. 🡺 Teachers’ challenge: transform the classroom into an interactive environment. Pupils are encouraged to present when project based learning approaches are used in the classroom, as they are eager to share their projects results with their classmates. 🡺 Teachers’ challenge: the educators needs to introduce new tools, change the classroom format, use creativity and thinking out of the box, promote collaboration, and ultimately “be prepared to teach but also ready, and open, to learn”. Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx-Xxxxxxxxx, Ph.D, Lecturer in Educational Technology, Xxxxxxxxx University, Cyprus, is involved in teacher training and gave her perspective on the situation in her Country. According to Xx Xxxxxxxxxx-Xxxxxxxxx, whilst it is important in Cyprus to prepare the new generation to be ready for the job market, it is very hard to predict how professions in...
