Professional development of teachers: The shift from designers to e-moderators


Abstract:

The professionalism and competencies of teachers are essential for improving educational systems, making both initial and ongoing training key elements (Nirchi, 2022). The teacher’s profile encompasses multiple roles, ranging from designing learning paths in hybrid environments to facilitating educational activities (Laurillard, 2013). In particular, etivities (Salmon, 2002), which include both synchronous and asynchronous activities, can enhance learning processes by making them more dynamic and interactive, thanks to the involvement of the e-moderator. This leads to a semantic shift towards a model where the e-moderator acts as a guide who fosters student interaction, engagement, and collaboration (Salmon, 2004). However, a recent literature review conducted during a PRIN project highlighted the need for initial training and continuous support for teachers to effectively integrate etivities, improve e-moderation management, and reduce workload, thereby optimizing teaching practices over time.