Continuous teacher training

In modern education, especially in the context of digital transformation and the implementation of online and hybrid teaching, continuous improvement is becoming not only desirable, but necessary.

Continuous professional development of teachers at HEI includes, among other things, pedagogical and didactic training, such as learning theories, active teaching methods, development of learning outcomes, assessment methods, constructive alignment with learning outcomes, etc. Also, part of the training includes digital competencies: using LMS systems (e.g. Moodle), working with multimedia content (recording lectures, creating e-materials), planning, developing and implementing online evaluations, e-learning, protection of (personal) data, and similar topics.

It is also necessary to work on the development of soft skills, such as communication, motivation, working with diverse groups of students, managing time and stress in a digital environment.

Teachers need to be further trained on how to align their practice with national and EU standards, either through adapting teaching practice to frameworks such as DigCompEdu, ESG standards, national digital education strategies, or guidelines at the level of individual universities or higher education institutions.

Why is continuous professional development important? Because it serves to improve the quality of teaching, encourages innovation and creativity in teaching, enables faster adaptation to changes (e.g., transition to online teaching), increases student satisfaction and engagement (for subjects taught by teachers who have undergone some form of such training), strengthens the professional identity of teachers and ultimately contributes to the international competitiveness of the higher education institution in which these teachers work.

How is it implemented at a higher education institution? It is most often implemented by teaching improvement centres at the HEI (e.g., an e-learning center) through educational activities such as workshops, webinars, online courses, etc. Such training may be mandatory (e.g., for newly hired employees) or encouraged as part of career development for other teachers with more years of service (at some HEIs, such training is linked to career advancement).