The UX@School project team recently gathered in Larissa, Greece, for an energizing two-day meeting at the innovative Joist Innovation Park. This Erasmus+ co-funded initiative brought together partners to review progress, refine tools, and set clear steps for advancing user experience education. With a special emphasis on dissemination and quality assurance, the meeting set the stage for impactful collaboration, focusing on making digital learning environments engaging and accessible for educators and students alike. UX@School is an Erasmus+ co-funded project with Pr. No: 2023-1-IT02-KA220-SCH-000156059.

On October 24th and 25th, the UX@School team convened for their second transnational project meeting at Joist Innovation Park in Larissa, Greece. This Erasmus+ co-funded project aims to empower educators with tools and methodologies that enhance digital learning environments through a user-centered approach. Gathering at the Joist Innovation Park, a hub of creativity and tech advancement, set the stage for an engaging exchange of insights, progress updates, and strategic discussions.

The first day kicked off with a comprehensive review of the project’s achievements to date, led by Learnable. This initial session gave all partners a chance to reflect on milestones reached and to realign on project objectives moving forward. IED followed with an overview of the Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) work plan and shared insightful findings from focus groups. These findings sparked a productive dialogue, where partners analyzed user feedback and identified ways to integrate these insights into the ongoing project strategy. The morning continued with a detailed look at pilot testing, focusing on the outcomes of Pilot Tests 1 and 2, with discussions centered around practical adjustments that would enhance the project’s impact.

A special focus was given to Dissemination and Quality Assurance throughout the event. Dissemination efforts aim to extend the project’s reach and ensure that UX@School resources are accessible and engaging for educators across Europe. In one session, Learnable presented national dissemination plans that included strategies for engaging with local educators, institutions, and stakeholders to raise awareness of the project’s objectives. Partners also explored ways to improve visibility through social media, online platforms, and events, ensuring that UX@School tools reach and benefit a broad audience.

Quality Assurance was another significant focus of the meeting. The team discussed key benchmarks for success and how to assess these metrics effectively throughout the project’s duration. Through a collaborative approach, partners reviewed and refined quality measures to ensure the project’s outputs are practical, user-friendly, and align with educator needs. These discussions underlined the project’s commitment to delivering high-quality resources that can be seamlessly implemented in classroom settings.

The second day of the meeting opened with a session on dissemination led by Learnable and AKOE, focusing on the project’s main achievements so far and discussing actions for further improvements. The introduction of a Community of Practice emerged as a vital step in building a sustainable network where educators can continuously share insights and best practices. This community will also facilitate ongoing feedback, which is essential for refining and expanding the UX@School offerings.

In addition, partners discussed the interim report, ambassador training, and upcoming activities, setting clear plans for the next project phases. Ambassador training, in particular, will play a critical role in mobilizing advocates who can promote and represent the UX@School tools in their respective educational communities.

Concluding with a recap of upcoming tasks, partners left the meeting with renewed enthusiasm and clear action points. The two days of dynamic discussions and teamwork reinforced the commitment to making digital learning environments more engaging and accessible for educators and students alike. This successful meeting in Larissa has undoubtedly set the UX@School project on a path toward meaningful impact in the educational landscape.

*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. 2023-1-IT02-KA220-SCH-000156059