Innovative Teaching Methods

Learning objectives

• Understand the meaning of “teaching methodology innovative” and its value to the school today.

• Distinguish between the major families of methods (collaborative, based on problems/projects, experiential, technological, custom).

• Reflect on the role of teacher as facilitator, not the only transmitter of content.

• Find the practical tools to apply in their own classes.

Methodology

• Approach interactive workshop: alternation of moments of theoretical and practical activities.

• Guided discussion: stimulating questions on innovation, challenges, and opportunities.

• Presentation real cases applicable in the classroom (examples for primary and secondary).

• Use digital tools to make the experience engaging (quizzes, maps, storytelling).

Course structure 

1. Introduction (1st lesson)

• Presentation of the concept of “teaching methodology innovation.”

• Guided discussion: what does innovation mean in teaching? What difficulties faced by today's teachers?

• Map of the 5 great families of methods.

• Initial activity: teachers share a positive experience with innovative teaching experienced or observed.

2. Collaboration and Social Learning

• Methodologies: Cooperative Learning, Peer Tutoring, Jigsaw, The Debate.

• Example implementation:

  • Primary → “Build a city” (each group design a part).

  • Secondary → Debate on “The artificial intelligence in education: opportunity or risk?”.

• Activities for teachers: work in groups and prepare a micro-year experience in the classroom.

3. Problems and Projects as a learning engine

• Methodologies: Project-Based Learning, Problem-Based Learning, Design Thinking, Scenario-Based Learning.

• Example implementation:

  • Primary → Create a school garden.

  • Secondary → Designing the sustainable city of the future.

• Activities for teachers: simulation of a small interdisciplinary project with the times and roles.

4. Innovative technologies and Gamification

• Methodologies: Gamification, Competition-Based Learning, VR/AR, AI, 3D Printing.

• Example implementation:

  • Primary → quizzes with Kahoot to review the multiplication tables.

  • Secondary → exploration VR of ancient Rome.

• Activities for teachers: create a quiz or a challenge gamificata with a digital instrument (Kahoot, Wordwall).

5. Direct experiences and Creative

• Methodologies: Learning by Doing, Experiential Learning, and Art-Based Learning, Storytelling Digital.

• Example implementation:

  • Primary → build a house for the birds.

  • Secondary → create a podcast historic or a video with the storytelling digital.

• Activities for teachers: to design a storytelling digital learning on a topic of their subject.

6. Customization and Micro-learning

• Methodologies: Flipped Classroom, Microlearning, Simulation-Based, Immersive, Role-Playing, Multi-Sensory, Self-Directed Learning.

• Example implementation:

  • Primary → video on the water cycle at home + practical model in the class.

  • Secondary → simulation of the UN on climate change (role play).

• Activities for teachers: make a mini-unit upside-down (flipped classroom).

7. Conclusion and final reflection

• Sharing of the work of teachers.

• Discussion on the advantages, issues and adaptations of the methods.

• Processing of a personal plan to experimentation: every teacher chooses a methodology to try right now in class.

Tools used

• Collaborative platforms: Padlet, Jamboard, Trello, Canva.

• Gamification and interactive quizzes: Kahoot, Wordwall, Classcraft.

• Storytelling and creativity: Canva, PowerPoint, Audacity/Anchor.

• Videos and simulations: Edpuzzle, LearningApps, Google Expeditions (VR).

• Coding and computational thinking (for connection with other activities): Scratch, Blockly.