SmartStart ERASMUS+ Teacher Academy (SmartStart)

Programme(s): Erasmus+ (ERASMUS+)
Topic(s): ERASMUS-EDU-2024-PEX-TEACH-ACA
Type of action: ERASMUS Lump Sum Grants
Project ID: 101196580

Objective: The SmartStart Teacher Academy aims to establish an international teacher training program that empowers teachers and teacher students to integrate AI-based digital media into everyday classroom practice, supporting individualised learning and enhancing pedagogical methods. To address language barriers, an AI-based translation tool will be developed to facilitate professional exchange and support multilingual classrooms. The curriculum will be based on a comprehensive discussion and analysis of the needs, challenges, opportunities, and issues related to AI-based applications and digital media in primary schools, conducted by an expert pan-el representing all relevant perspectives and supported by a thorough scientific literature review. SmartStart Teacher Training includes both teachers and teacher students, fostering learning and collaboration among novice and experienced educators through mentoring and peer-to-peer learning. The program comprises two integrated phases. The first phase is an online course that provides international participants with foundational knowledge on the technological, pedagogical, and didactic aspects of AI and digital media in primary schools. The second phase is practical and takes place in cooperating project schools using ERASMUS+ mobility programs. This training concept applies theoretical knowledge to the classroom in a co-creative and reflective manner, utilising the Deeper Learning approach. Scientific studies will evaluate the professional development of the trained teachers, informing the continuous improvement of the training program, which will be integrat-ed into the curricula of participating universities and teacher training institutions. The online course will be accessible through eTwinning, supporting primary school teachers across Europe in addressing the chal-lenges of AI and digital media in their daily work.