As part of the capacity-building initiatives under the TeachersMOD project, a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) has been developed to enhance teaching methodologies in Kurdish universities. The MOOC targets Kurdish professionals and serves as an essential tool for disseminating innovative pedagogical practices, extending the reach of the training provided by European partners. The TeachersMOD has been developed under the coordination of University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Portugal (UTAD) and is hosted in the Mediterranean Universities Union, Italy (UNIMED) learning platform.
Three modules were designed collaboratively by UTAD, UNIMED, and the University of Granada, Spain (UGR). These modules focus on the project’s core topics and complement the in-person training sessions conducted by European partners, addressing additional sub-themes and subjects.
The MOOC also serves as a resource for the Training of Trainers (ToT) program, ensuring sustainable knowledge transfer within Kurdish Partner institutions and providing access to a broader audience of educators across Kurdish universities.

Learning approach
The MOOC offers a flexible, self-paced learning experience with materials provided in English. Participants can access the content asynchronously, engaging with the modules at their convenience throughout the course duration. Active participation is encouraged through the completion of quizzes and other interactive activities, which are essential components of the training process. A comprehensive evaluation of the training will be conducted following the conclusion of the MOOC.

MOOC Content
The TeachersMOD MOOC is structured into three comprehensive modules, each addressing a core aspect of the project’s objectives:

• Module 1: Active Teaching and Learning Methodologies
  Developed by UTAD, this module delves into innovative strategies to enhance engagement and effectiveness in teaching and learning practices.

• Module 2: The University’s Outreach Mission and Third Mission
  Designed by UNIMED, this module emphasizes the university’s role in fostering
  employability and creating opportunities for student involvement, aligning with its outreach and societal engagement missions.

• Module 3: Teaching in/through a Foreign Language and Special Needs in Higher
  Education
  Created by the University of Granada, this module explores strategies for teaching in
  multilingual contexts and addresses the unique challenges and opportunities associated with supporting students with special needs in higher education.

These modules collectively aim to provide participants with a robust foundation for implementing modern, inclusive, and impactful teaching practices.

The materials provided include:
– Recorded video lectures
– Reading materials
– PowerPoint presentations
– Practice quizzes at the end of Modules 1 and Module 3.

Participants and webinar introducing the MOOC
The TeachersMOD MOOC was designed to capitalize on all the training activities already developed and to facilitate sustainable knowledge transfer within Kurdish Partner institutions, while also providing access to a broader audience of educators across Kurdish universities. This effort has been met with considerable enthusiasm, as approximately 400 participants have registered to take part in the MOOC.
As part of the TeachersMOD project under UTAD’s coordination, a webinar was held to officially launch the TeachersMOD MOOC on November 7th, at 10:30 am CET. This online event marked a significant milestone in the project’s capacity-building action.
The webinar provided an overview of the MOOC, introducing its structure, objectives, and content. Participants were guided on how to maximize their learning experience by engaging with the resources and activities offered in the course.
This session served as a valuable opportunity for trainees from Kurdish universities to familiarize themselves with the platform, explore its potential, and understand its alignment with the project’s goals. For those unable to attend the live session, the webinar was recorded and made available afterward to ensure accessibility and inclusion. A video introducing the MOOC can be accessed HERE.

The course is available in the UNIMED learning platform HERE.