First Learning, Teaching, and Training (LTT) Activity of the “Digital Transformation in Special Education” Project Held in Vrgorac
The first Learning, Teaching, and Training (LTT) activity of the Erasmus+ project “Digital Transformation in Special Education” (Project No: 2023-1-TR01-KA220-SCH-000160579) was successfully conducted from October 22 to 26, 2024, in Vrgorac, Croatia. Hosted by the Croatian team, the five-day program began with an introduction to the LTT objectives and the pedagogical framework of the ICT-based application tool. Participants examined global trends in monitoring students with special needs and learning disabilities, and conducted a comparative analysis of various assessment and monitoring methods. These discussions laid the groundwork for developing a roadmap to integrate ICT-based monitoring processes into the course module.
During the subsequent sessions, the partners focused on structuring the course module to ensure alignment with recent research findings. The consortium planned the content for animations designed to demonstrate core instructional strategies and worked on developing e-books and interactive materials tailored specifically for teachers. By researching best practices in special education teacher training, the team successfully drafted a comprehensive outline of the teacher training program. This program was carefully aligned with teachers’ Individual Development Plans (IDPs) and self-directed learning needs. Additionally, best practices for utilizing ICT in tracking student progress were identified and compiled into a structured document for inclusion in the course module.
The final days of the LTT activity emphasized the practical and technical aspects of the project, including the selection and implementation of digital methodologies to support students. The team reviewed essential accessibility features, such as text-to-speech, font adjustments, and intuitive navigation, while making technical preparations for an online platform (Website or LMS) for in-service training. Platform functionality and accessibility were rigorously tested. The program concluded with the collection of feedback from the Project Management Committee (PMC), preparations for the initial pilot training, and a final review to ensure all materials adhere to the Universal Design for Learning by being clear, engaging, and accessible. The event wrapped up with a general evaluation and participant surveys to gather comprehensive feedback.
