UX FOR TEACHERS - Enhancing digital education with User experience design

<< Background >>The rapid rise of digital tech has disrupted education, leaving many teachers unprepared for distance learning. UNESCO notes insufficient digital skills in 16% of Italian, 15% of Spanish, and 14% of Bulgarian teachers. Only about half of 15-year-olds in OECD countries had access to effective online platforms during the pandemic. Virtual schooling can harm students' outcomes, leading to learning losses and increased dropout rates. Eurostat data shows 10.2% of EU 18-24-year-olds lack further education, with Spain (17%), Bulgaria (13%), and Italy (12%) most affected. The design of technological tools and digital pedagogy directly influences learning inclusion. Effective online environments should foster collaboration and engagement for inclusivity, personalization, and intelligence. Student-centered teaching empowers active knowledge construction and autonomy, with teachers pivotal in its implementation for distance learning.<< Objectives >>The UX for Teachers project aimed to strengthen the role of secondary school teachers, trainers, and educators in designing student-centered digital environments, activities, and materials, exploiting the potential of UX Design to improve engagement and effectiveness of distance learning in schools.The main concrete objective was to enhance teachers’ competences in assessing, designing, and implementing effective digital environments/materials by applying UX design concepts.<< Implementation >>The following activities were carried out:1. Production of the UX FOR TEACHERS Assessment Tool2. Organisation of three UX FOR TEACHERS International Training Courses in all partner countries with an attendance of 13 secondary school teachers and educators in total (3 expected per country)3. Implementation of the UX FOR TEACHERS Assessment Tool in all partner countries with the participation of 17 secondary school teachers and educators (5 expected per country) and 66 secondary students (20 expected per country). 4. Organisation of three Final Conferences in all partner countries involving 134 local target groups and stakeholders (105 expected in total).<< Results >>The project produced the following results:- UX for Teachers Assessment Tool: It is a tool based on UX Design concepts for evaluating the level of accessibility, inclusivity, effectiveness, and engagement of online environments/materials/activities. It is a stand-alone document available on the project website in English and in all partners’ languages.- UX for Teachers International Training Course: It is an online training course on how to use the UX for Teachers Assessment Tool providing digital and pedagogic competences for the creation of effective digital environments and materials. The programme and the online training platform are accessible on the project website in English and in all partners’ languages.- UX for Teachers Final Conference: It is an online and face-to-face Conference in each country to promote the Assessment Tool and Training Programme produced to the teachers’ community, stakeholders and public authorities.