From Agile Principles to Agile Classrooms: A Structured Curriculum for Educator Upskilling
International Journal of Changes in Education, 3(3), 2026, 359-370, https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE52025817
Online publication date: Aug 08, 2025
Publication date: Aug 11, 2026
ABSTRACT
This research proposes a curriculum designed to promote the application of agile methodologies in classrooms. It identifies the key skills secondary school teachers need and categorizes them into three main areas: understanding the foundational concepts of agile methodologies, developing essential soft skills such as communication and teamwork, and enhancing digital proficiency. Guided by Gagné’s instructional design model, these competencies were systematically integrated into a well-structured curriculum with clearly defined modules and units. By focusing on these three areas – agile methodologies, transversal skills, and digital competences – the curriculum aims to help teachers embrace and apply agile principles in practical, meaningful ways. It supports teachers in actively integrating agile practices into their classrooms and equips them with tools to create dynamic, collaborative learning environments where students can develop important 21st-century skills, such as adaptability and problem-solving. By empowering teachers with these skills, the curriculum establishes a pathway to transform education, making it more responsive, student-centered, and prepared for the future. It bridges the gap between traditional teaching methods and the agile practices required in today’s rapidly evolving world, ensuring a smoother transition toward innovative and effective educational practices.
KEYWORDS
agile methodologies agile education transversal competences digital competences educational curriculum teacher training
CITATION (APA)
Fitsilis, P., Boti, E., & Damasiotis, V. (2026). From Agile Principles to Agile Classrooms: A Structured Curriculum for Educator Upskilling. International Journal of Changes in Education, 3(3), 359-370. https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE52025817
Harvard
Fitsilis, P., Boti, E., and Damasiotis, V. (2026). From Agile Principles to Agile Classrooms: A Structured Curriculum for Educator Upskilling. International Journal of Changes in Education, 3(3), pp. 359-370. https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE52025817
Vancouver
Fitsilis P, Boti E, Damasiotis V. From Agile Principles to Agile Classrooms: A Structured Curriculum for Educator Upskilling. International Journal of Changes in Education. 2026;3(3):359-70. https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE52025817
AMA
Fitsilis P, Boti E, Damasiotis V. From Agile Principles to Agile Classrooms: A Structured Curriculum for Educator Upskilling. International Journal of Changes in Education. 2026;3(3), 359-370. https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE52025817
Chicago
Fitsilis, Panos, Evangeli Boti, and Vyron Damasiotis. "From Agile Principles to Agile Classrooms: A Structured Curriculum for Educator Upskilling". International Journal of Changes in Education 2026 3 no. 3 (2026): 359-370. https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE52025817
MLA
Fitsilis, Panos et al. "From Agile Principles to Agile Classrooms: A Structured Curriculum for Educator Upskilling". International Journal of Changes in Education, vol. 3, no. 3, 2026, pp. 359-370. https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE52025817
REFERENCES
- Al-Sholi, H. Y., Shadid, O. R., Alshare, K. A., & Lane, M. (2021). An agile educational framework: A response for the covid-19 pandemic. Cogent Education, 8(1), 1980939. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2021.1980939
- Boti, E., Damasiotis, V., & Fitsilis, P. (2021). Skills development through agile capstone projects. In Frontiers in Software Engineering: First International Conference, 97–112. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-93135-3_7
- Venkatraman, S., Benli, F., Wei, Y., & Wahr, F. (2022). Smart classroom teaching strategy to enhance higher order thinking skills (HOTS)—An agile approach for education 4.0. Future Internet, 14(9), 255. https://doi.org/10.3390/fi14090255
- Li, K. C., & Wong, B. T. M. (2025). Pedagogical framework for technology-mediated agile-blended learning. SN Computer Science, 6(3), 253. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42979-025-03774-z
- EduScrum. (2020). The eduScrum Guide. “The rules of the Game.” Retrieved from: https://art2beagile.slab.com/posts/edu-scrum-guides-fk6r8ill
- Reehorst, E., van Rossum, J., & Saris, S. (2019). Scrum@school Guide. Scrumatschool. Retrieved from: https://scrumatschool.nl/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Guide-EN-2019.pdf
- Vizdos, M. (2021). The agile educator guide. An agile framework for modern education. Retrieved from: https://www.michaelvizdos.com/agile-educator-guide
- Arce, E., Suárez-García, A., López-Vázquez, J. A., & Fernández-Ibáñez, M. I. (2022). Design sprint: Enhancing STEAM and engineering education through agile prototyping and testing ideas. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 44, 101039. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2022.101039
- Chueh, H. E., & Kao, C. Y. (2024). Exploring the impact of integrating problem based learning and agile in the classroom on enhancing professional competence. Heliyon, 10(3), e24887. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24887
- Confrey, J., Maloney, A. P., Belcher, M., McGowan, W., Hennessey, M., & Shah, M. (2018). The concept of an agile curriculum as applied to a middle school mathematics digital learning system (DLS). International Journal of Educational Research, 92, 158–172. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2018.09.017
- Marnewick, C. (2023). Student experiences of project-based learning in agile project management education. Project Leadership and Society, 4, 100096. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plas.2023.100096
- Riedl, W., Brown, A., & Rausenberger, J. (2024). An “Agile” project planning course: Learning by doing in process engineering education. Education for Chemical Engineers, 48, 15–21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ece.2024.04.003
- Sharp, J. H., Mitchell, A. J., & Lang, G. (2020). Agile teaching and learning in information systems education: An analysis and categorization of literature. Journal of Information Systems Education, 31(4), 269–281.
- Urueña, R. C., Aránega, A. Y., & Núñez, M. T. D. V. (2023). Approach to the working environment through the implementation of agile methodology for effective team management in a university context. ESIC Market, 54(2), e331–e331. https://doi.org/10.7200/esicm.54.331
- Wong, J. M. S., & Li, K. C. (2025). Technology-enabled institutional readiness for agile-blended learning: A framework for educational innovation. SN Computer Science, 6(3), 279.
- Dhir, S., Kumari, S., & Gupta, S. (2024). Agile approaches and practices in higher education systems. In M. Bhatia & M. T. Mushtaq (Eds.), Enhancing education with intelligent systems and data-driven instruction (pp. 1–22). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-2169-0.ch001
- Kamat, V. (2012). Agile Manifesto in higher education. In IEEE Fourth International Conference on Technology for Education, Hyderabad, 231–232. https://doi.org/10.1109/T4E.2012.49
- Royle, K., & Nikolic, J. (2016). Agile work practices for learning and teaching: What we can learn from agile work practices about learning and teaching in schools. Journal of Information Systems Education, 31(4), 1–32.
- Krehbiel, T. C., Salzarulo, P. A., Cosmah, M. L., Forren, J., Gannod, G., Havelka, D., ... & Merhout, J. (2017). Agile Manifesto for teaching and learning. Journal of Effective Teaching, 17(2), 90–111.
- Bergaoui, N., & Ghannouchi, S. A. (2023). A BPM-based approach for ensuring an agile and adaptive learning process. Smart Learning Environments, 10(1), 40. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40561-023-00259-5
- Schuhbauer, H., Brockmann, P., & Schötteler, S. (2024). Agile learning: Use of eduScrum in higher education. Education and New Developments, 2, 162–166. https://doi.org/10.36315/2024v2end034
- Sadullayev, I. (2025). The role of innovative methodologies in the implementing the electronic educational system: Agile, Scrum, and eduScrum. In AIP Conference Proceedings, AIP Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0257195
- Almulla, M. A. (2020). The effectiveness of the project-based learning (PBL) approach as a way to engage students in learning. SAGE Open, 10(3), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244020938702
- Palová, A., & Králová, E. (2023). Transformative education with agile project management and project-based learning. Ad Alta: Journal of Interdisciplinary Research, 13(2), 197–206. https://doi.org/10.33543/j.1302.197206
- Markula, A., & Aksela, M. (2022). The key characteristics of project-based learning: How teachers implement projects in K-12 science education. Disciplinary and Interdisciplinary Science Education Research, 4(1), 2. https://doi.org/10.1186/s43031-021-00042-x
- Parsons, D., & MacCallum, K. (2018). Agile education, lean learning. In D. Parsons & K. MacCallum (Eds.), Agile and lean concepts for teaching and learning: Bringing methodologies from industry to the classroom (pp. 3–23). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-2751-3_1
- Martínez Sanahuja, S. (2020). Towards lean teaching: Non-value-added issues in education. Education Sciences, 10(6), 160. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci10060160
- Bergmann, J., & Sams, A. (2012). Flip your classroom: Reach every student in every class every day (pp. 120–190). USA International Society for Technology in Education.
- Bishop, J. L., & Verleger, M. A. (2013). The flipped classroom: A survey of the research. In ASEE National Conference Proceedings, 1–18.
- Pedaste, M., Mäeots, M., Siiman, L. A., De Jong, T., Van Riesen, S. A., Kamp, E. T., . . . , & Tsourlidaki, E. (2015). Phases of inquiry-based learning: Definitions and the inquiry cycle. Educational Research Review, 14, 47–61. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2015.02.003
- Vuorikari, R., Kluzer, S., & Punie, Y. (2022). DigComp 2.2: The digital competence framework for citizens – With new examples of knowledge, skills and attitudes. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union. https://doi.org/10.2760/115376
- O’Shea, M., & Frohlich Hougaard, K. (2020). Supporting key competence development: Learning approaches and environments in school education: input paper. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union. https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2766/8227
- European Commission. (2019). Key competences for lifelong learning. Luxembourg: European Commission Publications Office. https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2766/569540
- Sala, A., Punie, Y., Garkov, V., & Cabrera Giraldez, M. (2020). LifeComp: The European framework for personal, social and learning to learn key competence. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union. https://doi.org/10.2760/302967
- Lilischkis, S., Tømmerbakke, J., Melleri, M., Volkmann, C., & Grünhagen, M. (2021). A guide to fostering entrepreneurship education. Five key actions towards a digital, green and resilient Europe. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union. https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2826/990680
- Sutherland, J. (2014). Scrum: The art of doing twice the work in half the time. USA: Crown Business.
- Anderson, D. J. (2010). Kanban: Successful evolutionary change for your technology business. USA: Blue Hole Press.
- Gagne, R., Wager, W., Golas, K., Keller, J., & Russell, J. (2005). Principles of instructional design. Performance Improvement, 44, 44–46. https://doi.org/10.1002/pfi.4140440211
- Fitsilis, P., Damasiotis, V., & Boti, E. (2023). Agile learning: An innovative curriculum for educators. arXiv Preprint: PPR776403. https://doi.org/10.32388/rqx9t9.3
- Larman, C., & Vodde, B. (2016). Large-scale scrum: More with LeSS. USA: Pearson Education.
- Neumann, M., & Baumann. (2021). L. agile methods in higher education: Adapting and using eduScrum with real world projects. In 2021 IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1109/FIE49875.2021.9637344
LICENSE
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.