From October 28 to 30, the TIDE research group hosted a hybrid meeting of the Erasmus+ VOLCANIC project, Innovative Technological Pedagogy in Higher Education. This was the second consortium meeting, bringing together representatives from nine partner institutions. 

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Launched in February 2024, this three-year project seeks to equip higher education institutions (HEIs) and K6-K12 teachers with the skills to adopt effective pedagogical strategies using computational thinking (CT) and information and communication technologies (ICT). The project emphasizes addressing the unique educational needs of disadvantaged populations, such as Bedouin communities and remote populations in Morocco. The initiative is expected to foster across-countries cooperation and directly benefit 500 disadvantaged students from rural areas, 200 K6–K12 teachers, and 50 HEI educators.

During the meeting, participants reviewed the progress of course development, with implementation scheduled for starting in December 2024. Enriching discussions explored ways to enhance the courses' effectiveness, with participants sharing diverse experiences and perspectives on using technological tools in education. Key challenges faced by educators in underserved areas, such as language barriers, cultural openness, and ethical considerations, were also addressed. 

The meeting served as a platform to advance in collaborative efforts to empower target communities through enhancing their digital skills and improving access to quality education.

To learn more about the project, visit its official website.