Enhancing hybrid teaching in higher education through chatbots

HYBOT

The current trend is hybrid teaching, where teachers interact with students in physical and virtual classrooms in real time. This may be a future model for many universities in post-pandemic times, as it allows students to choose between a virtual and on-site presence and at the same time opens up new perspectives on the design of traditional face-to-face teaching.

Goals and contents

Designing hybrid teaching scenarios is currently still a challenge for teachers, as didactic expertise is required to link physical and digital learning locations. In addition, planning and implementing hybrid teaching concepts can be time-consuming.

The HYBOT project aims to explore the potential of hybrid teaching for universities and to develop new concepts. This is to be done with the help of chatbots, i.e. intelligent virtual assistants. Chatbots are already being actively used in various industries for entertainment or information purposes. Chatbots can also play an important role in education and especially in the development and implementation of hybrid learning scenarios by acting as digital assistants to teachers and taking on or supporting various functions.

Creating and implementing a good chatbot-based hybrid teaching concept requires special knowledge, pedagogical skills and, last but not least, a great deal of enthusiasm. All these building blocks are being brought together in the three-year HYBOT project with the aim of developing the skills of university lecturers in the design and implementation of hybrid learning and teaching scenarios using chatbots. In the course of the project, supporting tools such as an online training program for the development of chatbots, a handbook with good practices of hybrid teaching in Europe and worldwide as well as a transnational "Community of Practice" will be developed and tested. In addition, university lecturers participating in the project will demonstrate the knowledge and skills they have acquired by creating their own hybrid scenarios and chatbots and testing them with students.

In the long term, the project aims to contribute to the modernization of learning settings at universities and to increase the reach of learning opportunities in post-pandemic times.

Project Results

The CREDinGREEN project, launched in 2022 with an international consortium of Italian, Portuguese, Romanian, and Austrian partners, was successfully completed in spring 2024. The project started under the impact of the Covid pandemic and addressed the question of how tourism SMEs could use the crisis to design future-oriented products while also becoming more resilient. In this context, two European instruments were examined that should have a positive influence on the sustainable orientation of tourism companies:

The European Green Deal with the opportunities for a sustainable design of tourism offers, including through programs such as Farm to Fork, which have an influence on gastronomy by, for example, regionalizing the food chain.
The instrument of microcredentials, i.e. European certificates to optimize and standardize lifelong vocational training.

The project concluded with the following 3 results, which were officially presented to the public at the beginning of March 2024 in the context of ITB Berlin:

1. CREDinGREEN Report on the situation of tourism 2022

Tourism managers were invited to take part in a survey at the beginning of the project in 2022, which provided information about the situation of tourism SMEs in the participating countries. With 355 participants, there is a solid basis for the evaluation, which, in addition to extensive literature research, provides deep insights into the companies. In addition to the survey, expert interviews were conducted with participants from the tourism and education sectors.

The study provides valuable insights into how the COVID-19 pandemic and EU Green Deal policies have changed tourism behavior in Europe. The results underscore the evolving services, knowledge, and skills that tourism managers must adapt to remain competitive and sustainable in this changing landscape.

By understanding the dynamics, tourism managers can better navigate the challenges and opportunities of the current global landscape. Read on to discover the detailed findings and recommendations of the study.

2. CREDinGREEN Training course for vocational education and training in sustainable tourism

The vocational education and training program aims to retrain managers of small and medium-sized enterprises in the tourism sector. The program teaches how tourism providers can meet the evolving needs of the market in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and under the influence of EU Green Deal policies.

The online training offers the opportunity to equip tourism managers across Europe with the skills and knowledge needed to navigate the post-pandemic situation and adopt sustainable practices. The program focuses on promoting resilience, innovation, and sustainability in tourism management.

The training program is an essential step for tourism managers who want to adapt to rapidly changing market dynamics and sustainability requirements. By participating in this program, managers can be better prepared to lead their companies into a sustainable and successful future in the tourism industry.

3. CREDinGREEN strategy paper

The strategy paper contains a comprehensive set of recommendations for policymakers in education and training. It can help ensure the sustainable integration of microcredentials into VET systems and promote the EU Green Deal through innovative training programs in the tourism sector.

The materials serve as an important resource for education and training policymakers. By providing actionable recommendations, it supports the sustainable integration of microcredentials in VET and the advancement of the EU Green Deal. This strategy paper aims to drive systemic change and ensure that VET systems across Europe are able to meet the changing needs of the tourism sector and contribute to a sustainable future.

All results can be found in detail on the project website: www.credingreen.com/results