Design Classes That Engage Students
How can we increase student engagement, support their independence and use new technologies responsibly?
The Blended Intensive Programme “Modern Academic Teaching: Student Engagement, Gamification, Tutoring and Artificial Intelligence” is an intensive professional development programme for academic teachers interested in implementing modern teaching methods.
The programme combines on-site classes with online workshops. Participants will explore practical student engagement methods, the principles of gamification design, academic tutoring tools and opportunities for the responsible use of artificial intelligence in higher education.
BIP at a Glance
Total programme duration: 60 hours
On-site classes: 40 hours
Online workshops: 20 hours
Number of thematic modules: 4
Location of the on-site component: Medical University of Gdańsk, UCS Building
Dates: 7 – 11 September, 2026
Language: English
Application deadline: 24th August, 2026
Who Is the Programme For?
The programme is intended primarily for:
- academic teachers and lecturers;
- staff delivering practical classes, tutorials, seminars and lectures;
- course and study programme coordinators;
- staff involved in designing or modernising educational activities;
- staff interested in student engagement and the personalisation of learning;
- staff wishing to use digital tools and artificial intelligence in teaching.
No previous experience in gamification, tutoring or the use of AI tools is required.
What Will Participants Learn?
Upon completion of the programme, participants will be able to:
- select engagement methods appropriate to the objectives, content and format of classes;
- design classes that increase student engagement and responsibility;
- use peer learning, metaplan, mind maps and other engagement techniques;
- introduce gamification mechanisms into academic classes;
- design a tutoring process and build a partnership-based relationship with a student;
- support students in setting goals and planning their development;
- select artificial intelligence tools for specific teaching tasks;
- assess the opportunities and limitations of AI use in higher education;
- apply principles for the safe, ethical and lawful use of AI;
- evaluate and improve the teaching solutions they design.
Programme
Module 1. Modern Student Engagement Methods
This module focuses on designing learning processes in which students actively participate in acquiring, analysing and applying knowledge.
Practical Component
Participants will analyse sample class scenarios, test selected methods and prepare engagement activities that can be applied in their own courses.
Module 2. Gamification in Academic Teaching
This module presents ways of using game-based mechanisms to increase student motivation, participation and engagement.
Practical Component
Participants will design a gamification element for a selected course or class, defining its objective, mechanisms, participation rules and method of evaluating results.
Module 3. Tutoring-Based Teaching
This module prepares participants to work with students individually or in small groups, with a focus on developing their potential, independence and responsibility.
Practical Component
Participants will practise conducting tutoring conversations, formulating questions, setting goals and preparing an individual work plan for a student.
Module 4. Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education
This module is dedicated to the practical, safe and responsible use of artificial intelligence tools in the educational process.
Practical Component
Participants will test selected tools, develop sample prompts for AI systems and design ways of using artificial intelligence in their own classes.
How Will We Work?
The programme will be delivered in a blended-learning format, combining intensive on-site classes with interactive online workshops.
The programme will include:
- short theoretical introductions;
- individual and group exercises;
- analysis of examples and case studies;
- simulations of teaching situations;
- testing of methods and tools;
- designing participants’ own solutions;
- consultations with trainers;
- feedback from trainers and other participants;
- international exchange of experience and good practices.
Practical Outcome
Each participant will prepare their own mini teaching project that can be used in a selected course, module or study programme.
The project may include:
- a class scenario using student engagement methods;
- a peer-learning activity;
- a mind map or problem analysis;
- a gamification concept for a course;
- a tutoring session scenario;
- an individual student development plan;
- a teaching task using artificial intelligence;
- rules for students’ use of AI;
- an evaluation tool for the designed solution.
Why Participate?
The programme brings together four complementary areas of modern academic teaching: student engagement, gamification, tutoring and artificial intelligence.
Participation in the BIP offers an opportunity to:
- develop a practical academic teaching toolkit;
- learn methods that increase student engagement;
- design more interactive and engaging classes;
- adapt teaching methods more effectively to the needs of different student groups;
- develop digital and tutoring competences;
- integrate artificial intelligence responsibly into the educational process;
- prepare a solution ready for implementation in one’s own teaching practice;
- exchange knowledge with academic teachers from other universities;
- establish new professional contacts and international cooperation.
Recruitment
The number of places is limited.
To apply, candidates are required to:
- complete the application form;
- briefly describe their teaching experience;
- indicate the course or subject area in which they intend to use the methods introduced during the programme;
- provide a short statement of motivation;
- obtain the required approval from their home institution, where applicable.
Application form: BIP: Modern Academic Teaching - student engagement, gamification, tutoring and AI – Complete the form
Application deadline: 24th August, 2026
Announcement of results: 28th August, 2026
Number of available places: 24
Contact
For academic and organisational enquiries, please contact:
ACE²-EU Alliance Office
Medical University of Gdańsk
3a M. Skłodowskiej-Curie Street
Room 110, first floor
80-210 Gdańsk, Poland
(+48) 58 349 90 71
(+48) 58 349 90 59
ace2-eu@gumed.edu.pl
Transform Your Classes into a Space for Active Learning
Discover methods that will help you engage students, develop their potential and use new technologies responsibly.
Join the BIP and design a solution ready to be applied in your own teaching practice.