Educational Alternatives, Volume 15, 2017

Abstract: The article summarizes the achievements of a three-year academia training project of Sofia University and presents the results of an action research conducted to ensure academia training effectiveness. 42 young specialists and post-doctoral academics were trained in 18 specially designed courses in introducing innovative methodology and technology in teaching at university level. The training was based on a specially designed model, combining training in teaching in a foreign language with innovative methodologies and technologies. The results showed that such training is highly successful, appreciated and needed, and, as a result, more than 100 academic blended learning courses were designed. The challenges identified were a need of more fragmentation and specialization of the training, as well as flexible personalized facilitation at the stage of course design and redesign. The most important conclusion was that such training and support should be institutionalized and made permanently available in order to ensure further academia development in the field.