From October 14 to 16, 2024, the sixth Transnational Project Meeting (TPM 6) for the iRead project took place in Bruges, Belgium, hosted by Howest. This meeting was a crucial moment for the project, bringing together partners to finalize outputs, evaluate progress, and plan the next steps for dissemination and implementation. The focus was on ensuring the project deliverables were not only completed but also impactful and ready to be used in educational settings.

The meeting began with a warm welcome from the organizers, who also introduced the objectives and structure for the three days. The first day was dedicated to a thorough review of the project outputs, ensuring all elements aligned with the intended goals. After a brief break, participants assessed the project timeline, identifying remaining tasks and confirming deadlines. These discussions were crucial to ensure all milestones would be met within the project’s framework. The day ended with a dinner, providing an opportunity for informal networking and collaborative discussion.

On the second day, the group reconvened for a presentation by Nicolas Slabbinck, who provided valuable insights into the innovative methodologies and progress achieved so far. The morning continued with final testing of the game-based learning platform, a key component of the project aimed at engaging students through interactive reading experiences. Participants actively explored the platform, offering feedback and discussing potential improvements. This feedback was compiled into a shared document to guide future refinements. After lunch, the team worked on updating and finalizing schedules for the remaining phases of the project. To conclude the day, participants visited the Brugse Zot brewery, blending cultural exploration with team-building, before gathering for dinner to reflect on the progress made.

The final day focused on polishing and finalizing all deliverables. Participants worked collaboratively on the guidance materials, timetables, and other outputs, ensuring everything was ready for dissemination. The meeting concluded with a farewell lunch, where final thoughts and plans were shared. This informal gathering allowed participants to discuss next steps, express appreciation for the collaborative efforts, and look ahead to the project’s conclusion.

Throughout the meeting, significant progress was made on the project’s key deliverables. These included an online toolbox designed to support reading education through interactive lessons and teacher exchange forums, a comprehensive e-course on the Close Reading methodology, and a game-based platform that gamifies reading to enhance engagement and learning outcomes. Surveys conducted to evaluate the project’s impact highlighted improvements in students’ reading pleasure and skills, reaffirming the value of the tools developed. Additionally, guidance materials were created to help teachers implement these tools effectively in their classrooms.

During TPM 6, significant progress was made in reviewing and finalizing the key outputs of the iRead project. One of the primary deliverables was the online toolbox, a comprehensive resource designed to support reading education. This toolbox includes a range of interactive lessons, a teacher exchange forum, and practical materials aimed at enhancing teaching strategies. During the meeting, roles and responsibilities for content development were clearly defined to ensure that the toolbox would meet high-quality standards and be available in multiple languages, catering to diverse educational needs.

Another major output was the development of an e-course focused on the Close Reading methodology. This digital course is designed to provide teachers with effective tools to enhance their students’ reading skills. Its content has been shaped by ongoing feedback from educators and students, ensuring that it remains both relevant and practical for real-world classroom use.

The game-based platform was another highlight of the project. This interactive tool uses gamification to transform the reading experience, encouraging students to engage with texts in an enjoyable and meaningful way. During TPM 6, the platform underwent rigorous testing, which yielded positive results, particularly in terms of increasing students’ reading pleasure and improving their comprehension skills.

In addition, a set of guidance materials and the website were finalized. These resources aim to help teachers effectively implement the Close Reading strategies and integrate the game-based platform into their classrooms, ensuring they have the necessary support to make the most of these innovative tools.

Finally, surveys conducted throughout the project provided valuable insights into the impact of the developed outputs. Preliminary results indicated that the tools significantly enhance students’ enjoyment of reading and their skills. The feedback collected from these surveys will be instrumental in making further refinements before the tools are disseminated on a broader scale. These deliverables represent a significant step forward in achieving the iRead project’s goal of improving reading education.

The TPM 6 meeting marked a pivotal moment for the iRead project, showcasing the power of collaboration and shared expertise. With all outputs finalized and plans for dissemination in place, the project is well-positioned to make a meaningful contribution to improving reading skills and enjoyment among students.