The 8th Academic Didactics Days at Bialystok University of Technology. Practical workshops for academic teachers

The Academic Didactics Days attracted teachers who are eager to progress and are seeking ways to enhance their teaching methods, communication techniques, and the use of technological tools in their work. The workshops on the use of generative artificial intelligence were very popular with teachers at Bialystok University of Technology.

– I want to compare my current knowledge with the latest trends presented by experts, – says Romuald Ziółkowski, PhD, Eng. from the Faculty of Engineering Management at Bialystok University of Technology. – This is a priority for me. In an era where students are rapidly mastering artificial intelligence tools, I must continually enhance my skills to keep pace. Only in this way can I effectively direct their attention, highlighting both the enormous benefits of AI and the need for caution in its use.

Artificial intelligence is now readily available to almost everyone. You only need to learn how to use it effectively to appreciate the tool’s potential.

– Generative artificial intelligence is currently underutilised, particularly in the educational sector, – explains Wojciech Biendzio, an EduAI expert and owner of the Bien Agency. – Its main value lies in relieving academic teachers of tasks that require significant effort. It can assist with the preparation of tests, worksheets, quizzes, and teaching materials, significantly reducing the time needed to create lesson plans. These tools do not replace a lecturer’s knowledge, but rather enable more effective work planning.

The programme for the 8th Academic Didactics Days at the University of Technology also included sessions on mentoring. In teaching, it operates in two directions.

– On the one hand, it supports students and doctoral candidates who want to develop under the guidance of more experienced teachers. On the other hand, it helps younger researchers and teachers who need guidance in their first years of work, says Bartosz Fingas, a trainer and tutor at Collegium Wratislaviense. – The Mentor School provides tools to make collaboration more effective and rewarding.

The gamification workshops were also very popular.

– It’s about applying elements and mechanics from games to a non-gaming environment, – says Adrian Lewandowski, the creator of gamification strategies. However, if we were to move away from rigid definitions and adopt a more empirical approach, our goal would be to transform the boring, repetitive tasks people are reluctant to do into a backdrop for something enjoyable, engaging, and immersive.

The vocal expression workshops focused on techniques to enhance communication and maintain student attention.

– Working with the voice is a fundamental tool for academic teachers, so it’s worth dedicating time to consciously using the vocal apparatus, – says Weronika Bochat-Piotrowska, an actress associated with The Aleksander Zelwerowicz National Academy of Dramatic Art in Warsaw, Bialystok Branch. – Even subtle techniques – consciously emphasising vowels or precisely articulating consonants – can make the voice stronger and more direct.

Effective use of the voice enhances the quality of an academic teacher’s work.

– With a large number of classes, fatigue, discomfort, and sometimes even loss of voice can occur, which is why such training is very necessary – says Prof. Ewa Roszkowska from the Faculty of Computer Science at Bialystok University of Technology. – The workshops included many practical exercises and reliable information. Although speaking may seem natural, consciously controlling your voice is a skill that requires development.

An important aspect of an academic teacher’s work is also the ability to build their own image. Often, students are not drawn to the subject matter of a course, but rather to the lecturer’s name and personality.

– A personal brand is very important in the work of an educator, although building it is always a matter of individual choice. However, if someone chooses this path, they can gain a lot: greater recognition, a wider network of contacts, and invitations to projects, debates, and conferences, emphasises Marta Rogalewska, programme director of the Uzdolnieni Foundation. – It also strengthens the university’s position when implementing its initiatives.

A strong brand attracts students and doctoral candidates who want to actively participate in the projects led by the teacher.

– I signed up for the workshop because I want to start consciously building my personal brand, – says Izabela Senderacka, PhD, Vice-Dean for Development and Cooperation at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at Bialystok University of Technology. – I’ve been thinking for a long time about how to do this with courage and consistency, so I saw this meeting as a good first step.

The 8th Academic Didactics Days focused on current teaching methods and tools to support everyday academic work.

– We selected topics to support the creation of educational programmes, the preparation of teaching materials, and the development of teaching skills, – says Urszula Krukowska from the Education Organisation Section at Bialystok University of Technology. – The main goal was to simplify daily tasks and encourage the adoption of new solutions.

The high attendance at the workshops confirmed that this is what interests the teachers at Bialystok University of Technology.

– We had to introduce a limit, allowing each academic teacher to sign up for a maximum of four selected workshops, so that everyone had the same opportunity to register,- explains Justyna Grześ-Bukłago, PhD, Head of the Section for the Organization of Education at Bialystok University of Technology. – For some classes, including three full-day workshops, this limit was reached at the start of registration.

The 8th Academic Days of Didactics at Bialystok University of Technology featured nine workshops and lectures, delivered by eight specialists in didactics, communication, and educational technologies. From 24th to 28th November, academic staff from all faculties of the University had the opportunity to focus on improving their skills and developing key competencies.

– The workshops at the Academic Didactics Days at Bialystok University of Technology provided me with a wealth of new tools and ideas. Despite many years of working with students, adults, children, and seniors, I have found something here that broadens my perspective, says Jolanta Grażyna Zuzda, MD, PhD, from the Faculty of Engineering Management at Bialystok University of Technology. – When working with students, it’s crucial for me to connect with them and encourage their engagement. The aim is to engage them with the message we want to convey. So they come to class out of curiosity, not just because they have to.

This year’s Academic Didactics Days programme at Bialystok University of Technology combined modern teaching methods, mentoring, voice training, and the responsible use of artificial intelligence in teaching. It included a variety of training formats, ranging from short workshops to full-day sessions designed to develop specific skills.

– This year, we have prepared an exceptionally extensive teaching programme, – emphasises Assoc. Prof. Katarzyna Halicka, DSc, PhD, Eng., Vice-Rector for Education at Bialystok University of Technology. We have introduced new topics in response to recent developments in teaching methods. We have also continued to offer voice training classes, which are very popular. This year’s edition was expertly led by Weronika Bochat.

The 8th Academic Didactics Days were organised by the Education Organisation Section of Bialystok University of Technology, in collaboration with the University’s departments and external partners.

The Academic Didactics Days were organised as part of the “WINGS PB – Support, Integration, Learning, Guarantee of Success with BUT” project, funded by the European Funds for Social Development 2021–2027 programme, specifically the European Social Fund Plus.

Katarzyna Kozioł