On November 21, 2024, the UX@School National Dissemination Event took place at the Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski,” Hall 13, in Sofia, Bulgaria. This significant event, part of the Erasmus+ co-funded UX@School project (Pr. No: 2023-1-IT02-KA220-SCH-000156059), was an inspiring gathering of educators, product designers, and education professionals to discuss innovative approaches to improving the digital learning environment through UX design principles.

Event Highlights and Agenda
The event was moderated by Chief-assistant Professor Yordan Karapenchev, Ph.D., whose expertise and engaging moderation style set the tone for the day. A total of 34 participants joined, showcasing the widespread interest in applying UX design to education.

The agenda was thoughtfully curated to provide a comprehensive exploration of the project’s goals and outcomes:

  • 12:30 – Welcome and Introduction
    The event began with a warm welcome and an introduction to the overarching goals of UX@School, emphasizing its potential to transform how educators and students engage with digital learning tools.
  • 13:00 – UX Design in Education: Transforming Education Through UX Design
    Chief-assistant Professor Karapenchev delivered a compelling presentation on the core philosophy of the UX@School project, highlighting how UX design principles can enhance the learning experience for students and teachers alike.
  • 13:30 – Presentation of the UX@School Handbook and Online Tracking System
    Prof. Dr. Petyo Budakov provided an in-depth overview of the two cornerstone outputs of the project: the UX@School Handbook and the Online Tracking System. The handbook offers educators practical steps for evaluating and improving the usability of digital learning materials, while the tracking system enables data-driven insights to refine teaching practices.
  • 14:00 – Coffee Break
    Participants had the chance to network and exchange ideas informally.
  • 14:30 – How to Assess and Improve the Digital Learning Environment and Materials Using the UX@School Approach: Case Studies and Real-World Examples
    Mrs. Keti Tserovska, M.A., Product Designer, shared real-world examples of how the UX@School framework has been applied to assess and improve digital educational resources. This session inspired participants to envision how they could implement these strategies in their own contexts.
  • 15:00 – How to Collaborate: UX@School Community of Practice
    Chief-assistant Professor Karapenchev returned to the stage to introduce the concept of the UX@School Community of Practice, a platform for educators to share best practices and foster collaboration in implementing UX design in education.
  • 15:30 – Open Discussion and Feedback
    The event concluded with an open forum, where participants shared their feedback, posed questions, and discussed how to implement the project’s insights in their institutions.

In-Depth Discussions on Project Results
Throughout the event, participants engaged deeply with the outputs of the UX@School project. The UX@School Handbook was praised for its practical guidance, offering actionable strategies for improving the usability, accessibility, and engagement of digital learning materials. The Online Tracking System drew significant interest for its ability to synthesize student feedback into meaningful insights, allowing educators to refine their teaching approaches.

Discussions also emphasized the importance of fostering a sense of community among educators through the UX@School Community of Practice. This initiative encourages collaboration and knowledge-sharing, ensuring the project’s impact extends far beyond the event.

Participant Feedback and Reflections
The event’s 34 participants represented diverse backgrounds, including educators, product designers, and education policymakers. Their active participation and thoughtful contributions enriched the discussions. Feedback highlighted the practicality and relevance of the project’s tools and strategies, with many expressing excitement to implement these in their own teaching environments.

Gratitude and Acknowledgments
Special thanks go to Chief-assistant Professor Yordan Karapenchev, Ph.D., whose moderation ensured the event’s success. His deep knowledge and passion for UX design in education inspired participants to think creatively and critically about the future of digital learning.

We also extend our gratitude to all attendees for their active participation and to the Erasmus+ program for funding and supporting this impactful project.

Looking Ahead
The UX@School National Dissemination Event was a resounding success, demonstrating the transformative potential of UX design in education. As the project continues, we look forward to seeing how educators across Europe implement its tools and strategies to create more engaging, accessible, and effective digital learning environments.

Stay tuned for more updates and join us in shaping the future of education through innovative UX design approaches.

*Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the Agenzia nazionale Erasmus+ INDIRE. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. 2024-1-IT02-KA220-ADU-000253630