1. InteractingAcademy@DICAM
A project to promote innovative learning at the
Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Material Engineering (DICAM)
University of Bologna
Committee on Teaching and Education
Department DICAM

2. The Project – An innovative approach to teaching and learning
The Project aims at introducing innovative learning methods in the master degree programmes of the Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Material Engineering (DICAM) of the University of Bologna.
The Project was launched in year 2017 with the process dedicated to the education of faculty. Students were involved since the second semester of the Academic Year , in selected courses that are taught in English. Innovative methods will be applied also to subjects taught in Italian since the Academic Year
expands on the international experience of professors, administrative and technical Staff at DICAM and the contribution of international students who were asked to provide opinion and advice.
makes use of the web site, social media and the YouTube channel of the Department:

3. The Project – Inspiring Concepts
The traditional one-way flow of information from the teachers to students is substituted by a multi- directional flow of information:
1. From Teachers to students, and
2. from students to students, and
3. from students to teachers.
Teacher coordinates the above flows.
Teachers are formed to innovative techniques,
with a specific focus on peculiarities of
a EMI learning environment.
Students are provided with interactive tutorials
and/or interactive assignments.
Students are involved in the teaching activities
and the whole education process.
The traditional final examination is integrated or even
substituted by a continuous assessment of learning.

4. Best practices The three pillars of the project Learning format Skills
Pillar 1: building on best practices.
The first pillar of the project is the collection, analysis and exploitation of best practices currently used by DICAM staff members or, when possible, within UniBO.
Pillar 2: Expanding teaching skills.
The second pillar of the project is the set-up of a process aimed at consolidating and expanding the teaching skills of faculty.
Pillar 3: Interactive learning formats.
The third pillar of the project is the application of interactive learning processes during classes aimed at the identification of specific formats.
Best practices
Learning format
Skills

5. Pillar 1: Building on Best Practices
Collection of best practices started in spring 2018
All faculty of DICAM were asked to share best practices adopted in teaching processes
Best practices will be systematically analysed
A specific initiative will be organized to present and share best practices
DICAM will participate to the initiatives of UniBO for the sharing of best practices
Selected best practices shared at UniBO level will be presented at DICAM staff
Collected best practices will be made available to DICAM staff, to UniBO staff and to the public in a dedicated page of the DICAM website

6. Examples of Best Practices (1)
The «Geo.Lab in a box»: thematic «boxes». Each box contains samples and tools allowing to perform experiences with the students directly in the classroom
filtrazione
prove speditive
Prove di laboratorio
classifica

7. Examples of Best Practices (2)
Collection of hydrometereoloical data: rather than randomly selecting the location, students are asked to collect such data for their home town.
They are asked also to provide historical data screening local newspapers and interviewieving their parents or grandparents.
Results are exposed in the classroom
An «international» classroom is thus giving added value to the assignment..

8. Examples of Best Practices (3)
Glossaries
Wiki-pages
Interactive tutorials
Role-playing
Virtual tutoring
Alternation of conventional classes with practical assignments
Practical assignments supported by IT tools (spreadsheets, etc.)
Laboratory experience to support theoretical teaching
Visits to companies or participation in events
Use of Kahoot to provide a real-time monitoring of the understanding and of the learning process
Regular videotaping with lectures available to YouTube
Tutorials in the form of digital notes from lectures
Tutorials in the form of open web
…. (stops here only due to limits in text and time – consult complete collection!)

9. Pillar 2: Expanding Teaching Skills - A three-step project
Part of the project is dedicated to expanding and consolidating the teaching skills of faculty
A three-step project was defined, focusing on supporting the new international master programs of the department
Step 1: language skills and certification
Step 2: teaching skills focused on the need of students in a EMI context (English as a Medium of Instruction)
Step 3: e-learning and e-tools to support teaching

10. Expanding Teaching Skills - Step 1: Language skills
Placement test at CLA for all Faculty in spring 2017
Intensive course from CLA for 6 B2+/C1 faculty aimed at obtaining IELTS certification
Extensive course from CLA for 21 B1-B2 faculty followed by certification test (organized in cooperation with the School of Engineering and Architecture)
2017 Edition:
Intensive course: 6 faculty obtained C1 IELTS certification
Extensive course: 2 faculty obtained C1 certification. Other still “in the pipe”
2018 Edition
Other suppliers currently considered

11. Expanding Teaching Skills - Step 2: EMI course
Intensive course (one week, 25 hours) supplied by British Council based on a model from University of Oxford
Aim: expand teaching skills of Faculty teaching in a EMI context
Contents: teaching strategies, preparation of classes, interactivity, language, presentation skills, clarity, language selection, structuring communication, management of different cultural and academic backgrounds.
2017 Edition
Attended by 13 Faculty
Extremely positive feedback
2018 Edition
14 Faculty selected
Scheduled 9th-13th July 2018

12. Expanding Teaching Skills - Step 3: e-learning workshop
A two-days workshop on e-learning techniques and support tools is planned for June 2018
Attendees will be Faculty that completed Steps 1 and 2
Contents of the workshop:
e-learning overview: scenario and trend
Models and theory of e-learning
e-learning formats
Tools to develop e-learning contents: introduction to Articulate 360, Moodle, H5P
Project Management in the development of e-learning contents

13. Pillar 3: Learning format
Concepts to promote innovative academic education:
Interaction to involve the student in shaping her/his education – Students take a leading position in designing teaching activities and the Academy of the future.
Teamworking: students are elicited to work in team. International teams will be promoted also launching open classrooms and joint courses with other universities. Role playing will be promoted also with the cooperation of external experts (industry professionals, etc.)
Open education: teaching makes use of open and continuously evolving information – Open and evolving e-books – To make education a permanently accessible and evolving background in an evolving society.
Permanent availability of lectures through conservation of records (videos, audios, screenshots of blackboards).
Continuous assessment of learning – in parallel to traditional assessment – to promote an innovative role for lectures – Lecture as an innovative and dynamic channel of education and verification.
Innovative concept of verification, as a tool for education rather than simple assessment. Verification as a tool for students for verifying skills and strength of the CV.
Emphasis on the essential role of diversity and balance in education (diversity of gender, background, education, countries) – Diversity as an essential value of teaching and interaction.

14. Pillar 3: Learning format – Examples of activities that will be promoted
Examples of best practices and activities that are promoted are given in the Appendix (attached compressed file).
The Appendix is composed by presentations individually prepared by teachers, who were asked to summarize their best practices and ideas. [still to be finalized – June 3rd]
The Appendix is both a state of the art and a set of ideas that are being promoted by the project.
The Appendix and the present documents are evolving documents.
Milestones and deliverables for the project are being identified. A presentation of results is planned during the Academic Year
What do we miss?
Advanced technologies for interactive teaching (recording facilities, interactive blackboards etc). We need availability of rooms equipped for interactive learning. A pilot project in the Risorgimento and Terracini sites needs to be launched.
Resources for promoting the education of teachers.
Recognition of ideas and actions – A formal recognition of the project is needed to enhance commitment of Faculty.