A learning community model: the Center for Innovative Education supporting academic didactics at Gda?sk University of Technology, Poland

Abstract

The current digital transformation requires academics to apply their pedagogical and technological skills to their teaching and professional development to address the newly emerging needs of the digital era. This study aims to analyse the operating model of the Center for Innovative Education (CIE) at Gda?sk University of Technology (Gda?sk Tech), Poland, as an incubator for professional development of academic staff at Gda?sk Tech, and outline the programmes carried out at the CIE. The focus is on systemic actions capable to elicit innovation at an organisational and personal level, including community building, higher education trend analyses, evidence-based professional training, designing new methods and tools for innovative teaching and appreciation programmes. The CIE’s offer extends to well-being support and providing measures against professional burnout. The establishment of the CIE enabled academic teachers at Gda?sk Tech to improve their professional competence and build a strong peer-learning community.