Teacher enhancing on digital literacy and new approaches to STEM education successfully concluded
In March and April 2025, international professional development training sessions titled “Enhancing Teachers’ Digital Literacy and New Approaches to STEM Education” were held for educators. The aim of the training was to equip lower secondary STEM teachers from five countries with knowledge and practical skills in digital literacy, as well as introduce innovative teaching methods aligned with the needs of today’s students and the evolving educational environment.
The training was organized within the framework of the Erasmus+ project “Diversifying the STEM Ecosystem” and brought together 20 teachers—four from each partner institution: Ozolnieki Secondary School (Latvia), Panevėžys Education Centre (Lithuania), the Henryk Brodaty Primary School No. 3 in Złotoryja (Poland), the University of Eastern Finland’s Secondary School (Finland), and Xanthi Secondary School (Greece).
The training was delivered in two phases: remotely in March and in person from April 1 to 4 at the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (LBTU). The full program included 32 hours—8 hours online and 24 hours in person.
Teachers acquired hands-on experience in applying digital tools in the learning process, developed their digital literacy, and learned effective time management strategies for both teachers and students. The sessions featured interactive, collaborative learning methods including presentations, group work, individual practical tasks, discussions, case studies, and a study visit to the Futurimo Science Discovery Centre in Riga, where participants gained inspiration for using technology in education.
Special attention was given to strategies for enhancing student motivation, building cooperation with parents and colleagues, and diversifying pedagogical approaches. Teachers explored both traditional and non-traditional methods such as the Exemplar Learning Approach by Wagenschein, the Socratic Dialogue Method, Learning Stations, Project-Based Learning, and principles of Cooperative Learning. Throughout the training, participants enriched their professional toolkits with creative task examples and innovative methods to apply in their classrooms.
Lecturers led the sessions from the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technologies at LBTU: Dr. Natālija Sergejeva (mathematics), Dr. Baiba Briede (education), Dr. Tatjana Rubina (engineering), Mg. sc. ing. Jekaterina Smirnova, and Dr. Nataļja Vronska (education). Their professional expertise and enthusiasm inspired teachers to think creatively, apply newly acquired knowledge, and implement innovative practices in their daily teaching.