Teacher training for curricular changes and LLL courses at national academic partner institutions (P1–P3) was realized in an online format from 2nd to 18th of December 2020, by teachers from the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre (P6). During the two-week training, 27 teachers from the Serbian HMEIs were trained – 13 from the Faculty of Music, University of Arts in Belgrade (P1), 8 from the Academy of Arts, University in Novi Sad (P2) and 8 from the Faculty of Philology and Arts, University of Kragujevac (P3). The training, led by six teachers from Lithuanian partner institution (Mantautas Krukauskas, Roberto Beccera, Vytenis Gadliauskas, Jonas Jurkūnas, Lina Navickaitė–Martinelli and Andrius Juškys), covered topics related to main project thematic fields: digital competencies and distance learning, music entrepreneurship and social engagement of academic musicians.
Initially, the teacher training was planned for March 2020, as a study visit of 12 teachers from Serbia to Vilnius, and cancelled in the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic. Therefore, in the view of ongoing travel restrictions and measures of social distancing, the teacher training was organized and realized in an online format.
Each topic presented by LMTA teachers was followed by Q&A discussion session. The following two weeks after these central presentations and discussions were reserved for individual or consultations in small groups and specific training, as well as follow-up actions. New circumstances imposed by COVID-19 epidemic restrictions, brought some topics related to digital competencies and knowledge to the forefront, particularly those related to distance teaching and learning.
The first two days of training (2-3 December 2020) were focused on the digital competencies and knowledge in music teaching and learning, with a special attention given to the distance learning and teaching methods, advantages and challenges. Thus, Mantautas Krukauskas presented the fundamentals of distance and blended learning methodology, while Roberto Becerra offered an overview of Moodle features and possibilities for music distance learning. Some particular aspects of Moodle-based online distance learning platforms were discussed such as how to import and upload various types of lecture content and activities for students, how to embed video conferencing or possibilities of course evaluation.
On the following day Vytenis Gadliauskas and Mantautas Krukauskas discussed characteristics and possibilities of video conferencing in music distance learning, which was in preparation of the teacher training recognized as a hot topic in current pandemic circumstances and shift to distance teaching and learning. This session also included a LoLa (Low Latency Audio Visual Streaming System) demo teaching session between the Faculty of Music in Belgrade (P1) and Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre, with participation of harp teacher Joana Daunytė from Vilnius and student Jana Čubrilović from Belgrade.
Discussions on digital competencies music field were rounded in the final session of the day led by Jonas Jurkūnas.
Social engagement of academic musicians was the topic of the roundtable “Music in society” moderated by Lina Navickaitė – Martinelli on December 4th, 2020. Teachers from Lithuania and Serbia discussed and shared experiences on various ideas for raising awareness of music in society.
The last day of the central part of the teacher training was dedicated to entrepreneurship and music. Andrius Juškys, Associate Professor in the Art Management Department, talked about entrepreneurship in music, discussed the challenges of introducing entrepreneurial topics in music higher education and curriculum
Online Teacher Training at Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre Agenda available here.
Fundamentals of distance and blended learning methodology - Mantautas Krukauskas, 02.12.2020
Overview of Moodle features and possibilities for music distance learning - Roberto Becerra, 02.12.2020
Video conferencing in music distance learning -Vytenis Gadliauskas, Mantautas Krukauskas, 03.12.2020
Digital competencies in music field- Rytis Ambrazevičius, Jonas Jurkūnas, Raminta Naujanytė, 03.12.2020
Discussion music in the society. Moderated by Lina Navickaitė-Martinelli, 04.12.2020
Entrepreneurship and music - Andrius Juškys, 18.12.2020