Projects

Academic collaboration on digital innovation in education

This project involves researchers from Belgium, Chile, New Zealand and the US working together to research how digital innovation and creative media can be used in education.

Design

Chile & Aotearoa New Zealand

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This project involves researchers from Belgium, Chile, New Zealand and the US working together to explore new approaches in education research and practice that are inspired by 4E cognition (how cognitive processes link with the body and environment), dynamic systems, quantum theory, digital innovation, immersive learning, cultural responsiveness and critical socio-ecological ethics; and transferring these approaches to new digital innovations and creative practices.

The researchers – Dr Claudio Aguayo (Auckland University of Technology App Lab), Dr Ronnie Videla-Reyes (Universidad Santo Tomás – Innova Steam Lab, Chile) and Dr Tomas Veloz (Vrije Universiteit Brussel - Centrum Leo Apostel) – met in 2019. Although they work in three different disciplines, they discovered they had a common research interest in how digital innovation and creative media can be used in education. Since then, they have worked together on academic projects, presentations, and grant applications and papers.

Claudio, Ronnie and Tomas combine STEAM education with 4E cognition. STEAM is an educational approach to learning that uses science; technology; engineering; visual, language, musical and physical arts; and mathematics as entry points to guide students’ inquiry, dialogue and critical thinking.

By working together, the researchers have developed new ideas, innovative digital tools and immersive learning experiences to enhance educational interactions and outcomes. They have published their findings in several academic journal articles and presented at conferences in New Zealand, Chile, Europe and the US. Many students and communities in the Coquimbo Region in Chile have benefitted from the new ideas, digital tools and immersive learning experiences this work has led to.

The researchers have also taken part in academic exchanges, hosted postgraduate students, and extended their partnership to other people and organisations worldwide. They plan to continue developing their common ideas and interests through new research projects and academic exchange. They are currently promoting and establishing a network of research centres of excellence across different academic institutions in Chile. This will enable theoretical ideas to be explored among different academic disciplines and applied to practical solutions in classrooms and other settings in Chile.

Published 02 November 2023