Education Renaissance: “Sferum in MAX” Transforms Teaching in Russia
Russia’s Sferum platform has officially integrated into the national digital ecosystem MAX. A free online course is now helping teachers adapt to new learning environments and expand their digital pedagogy.
From Homeroom Teacher to Digital Ninja
After the pandemic and the shift to hybrid learning, it became clear that schools needed a unified, secure, and user-friendly platform for communication, managing lessons, and engaging with parents. That solution arrived with Sferum in MAX — a digital tool that combines the functions of a messenger, electronic gradebook, and educational environment.
The messenger integrates with digital diaries and offers an interactive whiteboard, file-sharing, a “Student Assistant,” a “Rosobrnadzor Assistant,” and even a chatbot for Russia’s Pushkin Card cultural program.
But Sferum in MAX goes beyond classroom communication. It also includes professional training resources. One such project, “Sferum in MAX: Digital Tools for Modern Teaching,” was developed in collaboration with the State University of Education and supported by the Ministry of Education. The course spans eight academic hours, featuring three video lectures, hands-on assignments, and a final test.
Participants learn core skills in Sferum: creating classes, organizing communication with students and parents, running polls, assigning homework, and collecting feedback. More importantly, the training focuses on cultivating digital teaching culture and building instructional practices in online environments.
The program strengthens teachers’ digital pedagogy skills — critical at a time when more schools are adopting hybrid and fully online learning models.
Experts Share Their Insights
The course is open to all educators, from beginners to experienced specialists, and graduates receive an official state certificate.
Among the speakers are recognized leaders in digital pedagogy. Artyom Malinin, winner of Russia’s “Teacher of the Year 2022” and “Digital Teacher of the Year 2022,” shares his classroom experiences with technology. Also featured are Rustam Khaibullov (Vice President for Strategic Projects at VK), Vera Vartanyan (Head of Sferum Methodology at VK), and education analytics experts Tatyana Kitaeva, Tatyana Goloshchapova, and Anastasia Filkova.
Each brings a unique perspective — from practical implementation to strategic digital transformation. The result is a course that feels less like a manual and more like a living, reflective educational product.
Sferum’s Expanding Influence
Looking ahead, more advanced modules are expected, ranging from online teaching methods to AI integration and learning analytics. While the program is designed for Russia’s education system, its model could prove useful for other countries, particularly those building their own national digital platforms.
Still, challenges remain. Unequal access to internet and devices may limit participation. Regular updates to Sferum and its training program are essential. Free professional development also demands time and motivation, requiring support from both schools and government.
From “Digital Teacher” to “Digital University”
Sferum’s integration into MAX is part of a broader wave of education digitalization in Russia. Initiatives have ranged from the “Digital Teacher” competitions to the adoption of remote platforms and immersive learning technologies under the Ministry of Education’s “Digital Educational Environment” project.
The next step is already planned: “Digital University,” a comprehensive solution within MAX that unites services into a single ecosystem.
Pilot courses are already running in several regions, with a nationwide rollout set for November. Thousands of teachers will gain free access to Sferum training and begin using it in daily practice.
