Transformarea Educației Militare prin Competente Informatice Avansate 

Summary

Transforming Military Education through Advanced IT Competencies equipped 24 military students from disadvantaged backgrounds with digital, critical-thinking and problem-solving skills through international VET mobilities. Students developed practical applications, now used by their school, while teachers introduced project-based learning, gamification and a new curriculum in AI and Python. The project strengthened inclusion, European cooperation and the school’s capacity for digital innovation. 

“Participating in this Erasmus+ project completely changed my perspective on who I can become. I returned home with more than digital skills: with the motivation to continue, the desire to keep learning, and a clearer vision of my future.” 

Topic(s) addressed

• Inclusion and equity in VET education
• Digital competences
• Critical thinking and countering disinformation
• Resilience and adaptability
• European citizenship and active diplomacy
• Green competences and sustainability
• Project‑based learning and practical applicability
• Career management and professional guidance 

Target group(s)  

Direct beneficiaries:   

• Students (24 VET learners): 24 11th‑grade students (Mathematics–Computer Science), military vocational profile
• Teachers (4 beneficiaries): IT teachers participating in job‑shadowing

Indirect beneficiaries: 

• Over 400 students and the entire teaching staff 

Methodologies used

The project used transformative, learner-centred pedagogy to replace passive instruction with active, multidisciplinary learning. Python, databases and app development were integrated with history, culture and management through projects like HistoRO and ADMISSION CNM. Students co-created digital solutions to school needs and received feedback from teachers and mentors. Formal learning was combined with placements, visits, Green IT workshops, intercultural exchange and peer learning. Product-based assessment and reflective portfolios turned errors into learning opportunities. Teamwork and tailored support enabled 24 learners from disadvantaged backgrounds to participate, while external partners connected learning to professional practice. 

Innovation environment

The project created an innovative environment in which school leaders, teachers, students and external partners helped modernise military education. The college treated innovation as a strategic priority, validating a new curriculum in AI and Python and replacing fear of failure with a ‘debugging culture’ that views mistakes as learning opportunities. A whole-school approach embedded results in teaching, admissions, extracurricular activities and staff development. Open educational resources and Green IT promoted sustainable resource use. Partnerships with IT companies, European schools, NATO and the Romanian Embassy connected learning to professional practice and strengthened students’ digital, intercultural and citizenship competences. 

Teachers’ role

Teachers became mentor-facilitators, curriculum designers and agents of change. They guided students through problem-solving without ready-made answers, fostering autonomy, confidence and critical thinking. Drawing on job-shadowing in Portugal and Türkiye, they introduced project-based learning, gamification, digital portfolios and formative assessment. They also created a school-based curriculum in AI and Python, adapting industry needs to military education. Teachers modelled lifelong learning, shared knowledge with colleagues and created open educational resources for the whole school. By providing social and emotional support, they ensured that learners from disadvantaged backgrounds could participate and succeed. 

Impact and output

The project transformed students’ understanding of technology from a set of instructions into a tool for creativity and problem-solving. Twenty-four VET learners strengthened their digital, linguistic, intercultural and teamwork competences, while coding challenges developed resilience, autonomy and initiative. Outputs included a curriculum in AI and Python, open educational resources, digital portfolios and applications such as ADMISSION CNM, HistoRO, CROWNER and SIMPLICADET, which supports new students. Four teachers integrated project-based learning, gamification and blended learning into practice. Over 400 students now benefit from the curriculum and resources, while national and European recognition strengthened the college’s profile.

Learn more about the project