More than 170 vocational teachers from across Bosnia and Herzegovina completed a five-month learning programme, as part of a development cooperation programme implemented by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and funded by the European Union. In line with the digital transformation of education and training, the learning programme strengthened teachers in the development of digital training materials, ideated novel ways of teaching vocational education and helped education systems respond to changing labour market needs.
The Digital Content Creation Programme helped vocational training (VET) teachers to create their own digital teaching materials and tools and to understand how to integrate digital resources more effectively in their classrooms, to engage students more effectively.
Through self-paced digital learning, practical exercises and mentoring support, teachers upgraded their didactic skills, strengthening a learner-centred approach in their classes.
By the end of the training programme, participating teachers had used the digital materials they had created in pilot lessons at vocational and technical schools, reaching at least 800 students. Feedback collected during the pilots showed that students responded positively to the more interactive and accessible learning approaches.
The classroom piloting allowed teachers to test videos, presentations, quizzes, interactive activities and other digital resources in real learning environments and to adapt the materials based on students' responses.
Teachers presented their accomplishments and shared their experiences at the event Teachers Leading the Digital Transformation of VET Education in Sarajevo, which brought together educators, education authorities, pedagogical institutes, and representatives of the European Union and the ILO.
"Students really liked this approach," said Lejla Kobiljak Vrabac, a vocational teacher from Sarajevo. "When teaching content is prepared in an innovative way that is close and understandable to them, learning becomes more attractive and they engage more easily in the learning process."
The teacher training programme covered topics such as didactic approaches in the digital age, the creation of digital teaching materials, the development of interactive learning activities, the use of Microsoft 365 applications and the responsible use of artificial intelligence in education.
For Ana Šutalo, a mathematics teacher from Mostar, technology offers new opportunities to support students while keeping the teacher's role at the centre of learning.
"Technology can help us offer students better ways to learn and understand the subject matter through content that is closer to them," she said. "But nothing will ever replace the teacher - their role, support, understanding, and ability to encourage students to believe in themselves."
Participants and speakers highlighted that digital transformation requires more than technology. It depends on continued investment in teachers, support from education institutions and opportunities for educators to continue developing their skills.
The programme was implemented under the EU4Education and Employment project, which is funded by the European Union and implemented by the ILO to support the modernization of vocational education in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
