The Partnership for Digital Education Readiness project „A model for Interactive (A)Synchronous Learning in Online STEM Education” is implemented in the higher education sector.

The project was a response to the challenges faced by universities during the Covid-19 pandemic. Its main goal was to increase the level of student-teacher interaction for more efficient and effective communication during teaching and learning in a remote formula, away from the traditional classroom.

E-Close was implemented by Lodz University of Technology in partnership with University of Alcalá (Spain), University of Aveiro (Portugal) and Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft des Saarlandes (Germany). As part of our university, the project was coordinated by the International Cooperation Centre under the leadership of dr inż. Dorota Piotrowska, university professor.

The partners jointly developed, implemented and disseminated innovative and comprehensive teaching and learning solutions, supported by advanced technologies and IT tools. The project included the following outputs:

1. Methodology of Interactive Asynchronous and Synchronous Online STEM Education

2. Distance Teaching Toolbox for Educators

3. Teacher Training Courses

4. Smart Gamification Based On Multiple Intelligence Theory

5. Online Badges For Sustainable Education (21st Century Skills)

6. Guidelines and Recommendations for stakeholders of modern distance education.

The consortium also offered participating academics a range of training opportunities tailored to their individual needs, enhancing their competences for effective, engaging and responsive online teaching and learning. Students, on the other hand, had an opportunity to meet in selected partner countries to participate in workshops carried out in the blended-learning formula, with the use of gamification elements. Another activity involving students was a trip to the sailing base of the Lodz University of Technology in Masuria for the "21st Century Skills Survival Camp". As part of the classes, they developed skills of the 21st century, sought after on the labor market.

The project was aimed at students and academic teachers ready to use ICT in the face of challenges of remote education.

E-Close was a 2-year project implemented from 01/03/2021 to 28/02/2023.

The project budget was 290 815 EUR.

Project number: 2020-1-PL01-KA226-HE-096239

More information is available on the project website https://eclose.p.lodz.pl/ (https://eclose.p.lodz.pl/)

The project has been recognised by the Foundation for the Development of the Education System as an example of good practice and can serve as a source of inspiration for other organisations.