Abstract:

Purpose of this session is to showcase how the Up to University (Up2U) platform, our Next Generation Digital Learning Ecosystem (NGDLE) supports the latest pedagogical trends and helps students master the essential digital skills of the 21st century inside and beyond the regular classroom. Up2U uses a set of different tools and services to combine technology, infrastructure and pedagogy. In the pilots we run different learning scenarios in which the learner acquires theoretical knowledge through Open Educational Resources (OERs) and videos consultation, then discusses and applies that knowledge to critically analyse poetic texts and make connections through history, culture and literature, enhancing ICT and linguistic competencies while developing traversal skills. All lessons learned from these scenarios in pilot activities will be presented to the audience. A large international community of users and collaborators is needed, consisting of students, teachers, high schools, universities and content providers. Each one has a different role and contribution to this effort.

Students:
The proposed environment can support students to adapt new learning scenarios that will be useful when attending to a university. Technology should be promoted in the classroom – no more boring classes! It will provide an easy way to engage with other students, as well as to explore the international ecosystem and experience with the digital reward system.

Teachers:
Teachers will have the opportunity to benefit from new technologies. By Incorporating digital tools and services in their teaching method can result in more engaged students and helps them developing “critical thinking” and be more independent learners.

High Schools:
A community to support the new trends and methods of digital teaching and learning. Tools and services will help on implementing digital learning scenarios in the classroom. A heterogeneous training plan is being elaborated that would be able to accommodate training teachers with different technology backgrounds.

Universities:
Critical thinking, project work, advanced digital literacy are key when it comes to learning university environment. This is a way to bridging the gap between higher education, research and secondary schools. All these were lessons learned which have n=been analyzed for building an innovative future in the education.

Keywords:

Pilots, lesson learnt, education, team-based learning.