Erasmus+ teacher training course

Drones in Education and Institutional Innovation

Illustration showing educational and institutional applications of drone technology

How can drones support meaningful learning while keeping safety and ethics first?

Explore drone-enabled inquiry, creativity and institutional innovation through responsible practical design.

Target group: Teachers, adult educators, vocational educators, STEM staff, institutional innovators and other education professionals from all educational levels.

Activity type
Physical mobility
Duration
1 week
Language
English
Equipment
Laptop required

Safe and Innovative Drone Use in Education

Drones can support learning about technology, geography, photography, the environment and real-world problem-solving. Educational use is not only about learning to fly. It also involves planning, teamwork, safety, privacy and understanding when drone use is appropriate.

Participants explore curriculum-linked examples, basic flight planning and the conditions needed for responsible use. Group challenges connect drones with spatial thinking, communication, creativity and digital competence. Activities can also be adapted when direct flying is not possible. The course addresses local rules, risk assessment, consent, data protection and communication with learners, families and other people affected by a project.

The practical result is a safe and adaptable drone-related learning activity or institutional proposal suited to the participant’s learners, local rules, available resources and organisational priorities.

Amsterdam from above
Outdoor inquiry and careful planning connect emerging technology with real educational purposes.

What You Will Learn

Outcome 1

Understand key concepts and current perspectives

Explain the main ideas, opportunities and limitations connected to drones, STEM learning, innovation and safe implementation.

Outcome 2

Analyse professional practice

Identify strengths, barriers and development priorities in relation to drones, STEM learning, innovation and safe implementation in a real educational context.

Outcome 3

Use practical tools and methods

Apply scenario design, flight-planning concepts and risk assessment through guided activities, collaborative tasks and structured reflection.

Outcome 4

Design an adaptable learning response

Create a classroom, team or organisational activity that can be adapted to participants’ own learners and setting.

Goal

Use technology responsibly

Make informed choices about safety, inclusion, privacy and human oversight when using tools related to drones, STEM learning, innovation and safe implementation.


Course Schedule

Day 1Digital starting points and responsible use

Welcome, needs mapping and course compass

Participants introduce their contexts, identify their goals and map current experiences connected to drones, STEM learning, innovation and safe implementation.

Shared vocabulary and key questions

Participants build a common language through short inputs, pair dialogue and a visual question wall.

Practice snapshot

Participants analyse a short case or example and identify what they would keep, question or change.

Day 2Exploring tools and evaluating value

Method gallery

Participants rotate through concise examples, models and tools connected to drones, STEM learning, innovation and safe implementation, recording practical possibilities.

Guided skill lab

Participants practise scenario design, flight-planning concepts and risk assessment in small groups with trainer guidance and structured prompts.

Reflection and transfer notes

Participants capture what feels relevant, challenging or adaptable for their own learners and setting.

Day 3Hands-on creation and classroom application

Collaborative challenge

Small international groups work on an authentic challenge and apply selected tools in a purposeful task.

Create, test and revise

Participants develop a short activity, resource or approach, then improve it through testing and feedback.

Learning dialogue

Participants discuss different educational contexts and identify adaptations that make the work more realistic.

Day 4Safety, inclusion and critical judgement

Case clinic

Participants examine a complex scenario, identify assumptions and consider inclusive, responsible responses.

Perspective exchange

Participants use structured dialogue to explore different learner, colleague and community perspectives.

Practical safeguards

Participants identify boundaries, risks and support strategies relevant to drones, STEM learning, innovation and safe implementation.

Day 5Design studio and peer testing

Design your own application

Participants create a classroom, team or organisational plan using scenario design, flight-planning concepts and risk assessment.

Peer feedback studio

Participants share work-in-progress, ask focused questions and receive practical feedback from colleagues.

Improve for implementation

Participants revise their design for feasibility, inclusion and clear evidence of learning.

Day 6Course Closure & Cultural Activities

  • Reflecting on learning outcomes and key takeaways
  • Awarding of Certificates of Attendance
  • Cultural excursion and local heritage experience
  • Informal networking and exchange of best practices

Recommended Reading and Theoretical Influences

  • European Commission (2022). DigComp 2.2.
  • EASA (2024). Drone Rules.
  • OECD (2021). Digital Education Outlook.
  • UNESCO (2021). STEM Education for Sustainable Development.

Evaluation, Recognition and Practical Information

Learning is supported throughout the week through participation, reflection, practical activities and constructive feedback.

Evaluation of Learning Outcomes

Format
Continuous assessment based on class participation, practical work and self-assessment.
Criteria
Active participation in discussions, reflection, collaborative activities and practical course tasks.
Procedures
Trainer observation, participant reflection, feedback and attendance.

Recognition of Learning Outcomes

Conditions
Attendance at a minimum of 80% of the course and active participation in the learning activities.
Recognition
Learning outcomes are recognised through participant reflection, trainer feedback and completion of the course activities.
Documentation
A Certificate of Attendance documenting the course title, dates, venue and learning outcomes.

Practical, Collaborative and Learner-Centred

The course combines hands-on workshops, real-world examples, simulations, guided reflection and collaborative activities. Participants exchange good practices, work in international groups and develop ideas that can be adapted to their own professional context.

Optional cultural, social and networking activities support local engagement, intercultural learning and professional collaboration.

Practical Details

Duration

One week, normally comprising 25 academic hours.

Weekly Schedule

Classes take place from Monday to Friday, in the morning or afternoon. Saturday is reserved for cultural activities.

Final Timetable

The detailed timetable will be sent at least two weeks before the beginning of the course.

Preparation

No special preparation is required unless stated in the course programme. Any required materials or equipment will be communicated before the course.

Certification

Participants who meet the attendance requirements receive a Certificate of Attendance.

Alternative arrangements: Other course durations and schedules may be arranged on request.

Erasmus+ funding: Course fees and mobility costs may be supported through an eligible sending organisation's Erasmus+ grant. Eligibility and final funding decisions remain with the beneficiary organisation and its National Agency. Read our Erasmus+ KA1 funding guide.

Administrative support: Understanding Academy provides course programmes, learning outcomes, registration documentation and certificates. Participants and sending organisations remain responsible for transport, accommodation and grant management.

Plan your Erasmus+ mobility

Ready to Join This Course?

Check the upcoming confirmed dates or register your interest. We will contact you with information about availability and the next steps.

Need funding information? Read our Erasmus+ KA1 funding guide.