eTraining FinPal project is implemented through series of activities to fulfil its aim and ultimate goal. The project is divided into 5 consecutive phases:
1. Assessment of the context and needs of the teaching staff at Islamic University of Gaza
During the assessment phase the project teams collect the background information about the Palestinian higher education context and estimate the training needs of the teaching staff at Islamic University of Gaza. Also, the institutional strategy goals will be taken into account. Data are collected through interviews and questionnaire on pedagogical competencies.
2. Designing the study programme on university pedagogy
The second phase is devoted to designing the study programme on university pedagogy for the teaching staff at Islamic University of Gaza. The study programme is designed in accordance with the results of the first phase.
3. Training of trainers
The central phase of the project implementation is the Training of Trainers phase. The training includes study modules on university pedagogy delivered by the university teachers at Tampere University, experts on university pedagogy. The study modules are mainly organised online and partially delivered through intensive face-to-face training in Tampere University. The goal of the training is to strengthen the participants’ capacities to implement modern pedagogical approaches in university teaching as well as to train other university teachers on modern pedagogical approaches in university teaching.
4. Dissemination of the programme and establishing the University pedagogy unit at Islamic University of Gaza
Dissemination phase builds up on the previous Training of Trainers phase and it involves establishing the University pedagogy unit (Academic Excellence Unit) at Islamic University of Gaza. Through this unit Islamic University of Gaza will offer training on university pedagogy to other Palestinian higher education institutions. Another goal of this phase is to establish a study programme on university pedagogy that will be accredited by the Palestinian Ministry of Education and Higher Education.
5. Programme evaluation
Final phase of the project implementation is evaluation that includes evaluation of the study programme as well as the evaluation of the project. Study programme is evaluated through questionnaires designed for both teachers and students. Project implementation and future cooperation are discussed during the project’s final conference.
