Creating (simple) Educational Apps

What can you expect?

This week-long hands-on training course provides participants with the basics of creating simple apps* for the classroom. There is no need for programming experience as the trainees will work with tools that keep the programming itself to a minimum, as far as needed these competences will be taught by the trainer.

Participants will be introduced to the general value apps can have in enhancing learning opportunities for learners of every age, this includes the use of both existing apps and the creation and publication of user-generated apps. Guided demonstration sessions by a trainer with a lot of experience in creating educational apps will be used to highlight techniques for app creation. Discussions about these materials will also highlight important legal and technical constraints related to the use of apps for teaching purposes. 

Working in teams, participants will be required to conceive, plan and create a simple app for teaching purposes utilising the skills and knowledge they have gained. A visit to a professional app studio in Leuven is foreseen and at the end of the week a showing of the group works will be shown to an invited audience.

Participants will receive a set of working documents which they can use after the workshop to create apps in the classroom and they will stay in contact with the trainers for as long as necessary to help support them in their efforts to utilise apps for teaching and learning purposes. Participants will also be enrolled in an online discussion group related to the use of educational apps and so will be able to keep in contact with the other participants as well as the trainers in the months after the course.

This course is provided in English and the number of participants is limited to 20. Participants will receive a Certificate of Attendance at the end of the course, and a Mobility Pass if requested.

* An app can be an interactive book, a serious game or a collection of content and resources and can be used or accessed on devices like iPads, Android Tablets, laptops and smartphones.

Rules and Regulations 

1. As this is a residential course, all (non-Belgian trainees) are obliged to stay and eat in the same location, the Leuven Institute for Ireland in Europe, where the course is also taking place.
2. The accommodation provided in this residential course is exclusively for the teachers and trainers taking part in the course. Trainees who have partners or friends who would like to visit Leuven during that time are strongly recommended to arrange a joint stay before or after the course. During the course the trainees’ time will be dedicated to training and group work, having a guest staying with you would otherwise affect group dynamics. Guests that arrive on Friday are welcome to join us for the screening of the group work.
3. Trainees will be asked to confirm they have health insurance that is internationally valid during their stay in Leuven. EU citizens can obtain a free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

Costs & How to apply?

The full cost of participation in this week-long residential course is € 1,400*, including accommodation, all meals, tuition and materials as well as guided visits to institutions related to film and education. Funding to cover the full costs of participation in the October 2013 training course including accommodation and flights will be available through the European Commission programmes Comenius (for staff in school education) and Grundtvig programme (for staff in adult education), reference numbers to be confirmed soon.

The number of participants is limited to 20, funded applicants are guaranteed a place first and then non-funded participants are accepted on a first-come first-served basis.

As this is a residential course, all international trainees are staying in the same location where the course is also taking place.

* A small number of places are reserved on each course for Belgian teachers or trainers. The cost for this week-long training course is 525 euros for them (plus 21% VAT), which includes all training and materials costs, coffees and lunches every day and two evening dinners.

To participate in a course, apply online.

Preparation & What to bring with you

Participants are invited to bring their own laptop, but if this is not possible a laptop will be provided. Participants will be asked to bring with them information about their region (photographs, brochures, posters), to briefly introduce where they come from. They will also be asked to bring samples if possible of ways in which they are currently using ICT in the classroom. They will also receive from the programme organisers approximately four weeks before the course a list of websites they should visit to see various apps in a teaching and learning context along with the agenda and practical information about their participation in this course.

This course is being run in association with the annual MEDEA Awards, a competition set up to recognize excellence in the use of media in education. For more information about MEDEA and to view the media gallery with best practice examples, visit the MEDEA website: http://www.medea-awards.com.

Contact us

If you have any further questions, please contact Sally Reynolds and Nikki Cortoos via e-mail: nikki.cortoos@atit.be or telephone +32 16 284 040.