The Future of Education
Enhancing Faculty Development through Blended Learning in Higher Education: a Pilot Case within the EDUNEXT Project
Cristiana Cardinali, Libera Università Maria Ss. Assunta (LUMSA) (Italy)
Maria Cinque, Libera Università Maria Ss. Assunta (LUMSA) (Italy)
Giovanni Ferri, Libera Università Maria Ss. Assunta (LUMSA) (Italy)
Abstract
The digital transformation of university education requires a systemic rethinking of teaching practices and professional development models for teaching staff. This contribution presents a pilot experience currently underway within the Digital Education Hub EDUNEXT, which concerns the reorganisation of a number of post-graduate training courses according to the blended model. These include the case of the university Master's course ‘Gifted - Didactics and psycho-pedagogy for pupils with high cognitive potential and giftedness’ - aimed at training teachers and psychologists in the recognition and accompaniment of pupils with high cognitive potential. The course is currently undergoing a structured update process according to the ECOBI model (Educational Cluster, Open Badge, Blended Intensive).This project provides an opportunity to reflect on how higher education programs can be innovatively redesigned to meet ANVUR standards, support lifelong learning, and adopt competence-based approaches. It also shows how Faculty Development can emerge naturally during didactic redesign, as teachers revise content, methods, and assessment strategies in blended contexts. The contribution highlights the potential of blended models to enhance quality, inclusion, and flexibility in higher education, and positions teachers' professional development as a strategic lever for institutional innovation.
Keywords: Faculty development, Blended learning, EDUNEXT, Microcredential, Competence-based education, Higher education
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