Arqus: dr Tomasz Greczyło, prof. UWr about the initiatives of the Community of Practice – “Teaching Innovation”
Dr Tomasz Greczyło, a professor at the University of Wrocław works at the Division of Physics Teaching of the Institute of Experimental Physics at the Faculty of Physics and Astronomy. He represents University of Wrocław in the European University Alliance Arqus in the Community of Practice no. 5 – “Teaching innovation”. He shared with us several initiatives that are regularly conducted within the framework of the project, namely Mapping the Use of Active Learning Approaches, Teaching Innovation Summer School 2024, and Teaching Innovation Summer School 2024.
Dr Tomasz Greczyło is a graduate of physics at the University of Wrocław, a doctor of physical sciences in solid-state physics, a professor at the UWr, and a physics teacher by education and passion. He specializes in physics didactic and teaching-related aspects – learning within the field of natural sciences. For years, in parallel with his work at the University, he has been teaching physics at various educational levels in schools and supporting the organization of didactic initiatives. He is involved in the training of physics teachers but also initiates and co-organizes the initiatives aimed at improving their teaching skills. He is a member of the Polish Physical Society, a juror of the International Young Physicists’ Tournament, and the author of thematic publications, reviews, and textbooks. He collaborates with researchers from academic centers in Poland and abroad.
Please, explain what is the Mapping the Use of Active Learning Approaches.
We actively engage in the alliance actions aimed at i.a. the improvement of our didactic potential. At the end of last year, employees of the University of Wrocław participated in the survey prepared as part of the Arqus work frame, which was devoted to mapping of the use of teaching methods used by research and didactic employees. Employees of our University who had conducted classes during the academic year 2022/2023 were invited to participate in the study. The results of the study conducted in other universities of the alliance are currently being analyzed and will be used to prepare a so-called entry report. The report will be a major component for the development of future actions aimed at the improvement of education quality, innovation support, as well as didactic and research potential of the Arqus members.
What actions will take the Community of Practice no. 5 “Teaching Innovation” in the near future?
From the 17th to the 19th of September 2024, as part of our work, the next Summer School devoted to the issue of teaching innovation has been planned. The main theme of this year’s edition is the integration of broadly defined artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education. Participants of the classes will work on the following thematic areas:
- How to responsibly integrate AI into teaching activities?
- Artificial intelligence and the involvement of students: how AI-based tools can improve involvement, motivation, and participation in the learning practices.
- Student-centred teaching in the era of artificial intelligence: supporting the skills of using artificial intelligence during classes.
The classes will be conducted in English by a team of trainers from alliance universities: Wenceslao Arroyo Machado (University of Granada), Barbora Orlická (University of Graz), Dorothea Braun (Leipzig University), Dalila Alves Durães (University of Minho), Šarūnas Grigaliūnas (Vilnius University). For detailed information on the experience and qualifications of the instructors, check the description of the event on the Arqus website (https://arqus-alliance.eu/call/arqus-joint-summer-school-active-learning-2024/).
The classes of the Summer School will be held in a medieval monastery, currently the Terme San Marco Hotel – Monteortone, Abano Terme, located on the outskirts of Padua, Italy. Registration for the classes is open to all employees of the universities that belong to the European University Alliance Arqus. The classes are chargeable, the participants also cover the accommodation and travel expenses. The organizers have prepared places for a maximum of five participants from each alliance university. The registration deadline ends on the 31st March 2024. However, due to a limited number of places, those interested should first contact me, the local contact person (tomasz.greczylo@uwr.edu.pl). The basic criterion for participation is the order of applications, with the rule that from a given teaching unit of our university, only one employee can participate. An exception to this rule is a situation where nobody from other units applies for participation. Participants of the Summer School are required to conduct a seminar or workshop for other employees of the University of Wrocław upon return.
Applications are accepted via my official e-mail address on an ongoing basis until the 27th of March at 12:00 AM. On the same day, I will contact the qualified individuals and provide additional information by e-mail. I encourage you to participate in the event.
Tomek, you are also an “ambassador” for the “Arqus Teaching Excellence Award” at our university. Please tell us more about this competition for academic teachers.
The recruitment for the Arqus Teaching Excellence Award starts for the third time within the Arqus University Alliance Project. By awarding the prize, alliance partners aim to recognize academic teachers that are innovative in their didactic work and seek effective methods of teaching. The award aims to promote good learning practices that exceed the limits of academic discipline and enable students to develop in an inclusive, collaborative, and dynamic learning environment.
The winners will receive a monetary prize and an invitation to deliver a lecture during the Arqus University Alliance annual conference, which will take place from the 2nd to the 4th of July in Braga, Spain.
Those who want to participate in the competition shall submit the application form containing a comprehensive description of an original course, project, or educational activity that took place during the academic year 2022/2023. Both individual initiatives and group educational projects can be submitted for the competition. The application form, available on the website, must be completed in English.
Please pay attention to the selection criteria when describing the project submitted for the competition. The criteria include i.a. student-centered teaching, innovative evaluation of learning outcomes, the use of methods that have been proved effective through didactic research, effectiveness, and versatility.
Completed application forms should be sent by 26th March 2024 to the address of the university competition coordinator – Ms. Emilia Wilanowska (emilia.wilanowska@uwr.edu.pl). On the 27th of March, the University Commitee will select three entries that will be sent for further assessment by an international panel of competition judges.
We encourage you to showcase your didactic successes and to participate in the competition.
Interview by Agata Mitek
Movie by Paweł Piotrowski
ranslated by Sylwia Szypszak (student of English Studies at the University of Wrocław) as part of the translation practice.
