P2: European Network for Virtual lab & Interactive Simulated Online learning_2027 (ENVISION_2027)
Background and purpose
ENVISION_2027 (European Network for Virtual lab & Interactive SImulated ONline learning_2027) is a 2-year Erasmus+ Strategic Partnership project of 6 European universities, funded under the EU Key Action 226, Partnerships for Digital Education Readiness for years 2021-2023.
Main objectives of the network are:
- to research and recommend how to complement remote teaching of biosciences/biomedicine laboratory and teamwork activities through using state-of-the-art virtual reality tools, and
- research how to integrate learning analytics into virtual laboratory teaching to obtain a personalized learning experience for the student. Here are the intellectual outputs (IOs) for this project: IOs 1-2: Survey Execution and results To find out what kind of teaching obstacles and/or solutions different universities have found during remote teaching IO
- Virtual laboratories: Case studies To conduct virtual laboratory case studies as pilot e-learning course/modules by using (1) fully software-based virtual laboratory/virtual reality (VR) modules and (2) other digital tools and platforms without a virtual laboratory/VR IO
- Teamwork – Case studies To produce several e-learning course/modules using digital tools and various platforms for online teamwork IO
- Learning analytics To determine how to support virtual laboratory and teamwork course modules through the use of learning analytics (LA). Use of LA provides insight into improvement of the design of virtual labs and teamwork.
Finished work/ongoing work
Through our collaboration, we will summarise experience and establish strategies for digital teaching.
We are analysing the data collected from the survey (IOs 1&2) and virtual laboratory and online teamwork evaluation/feedback. We are establishing strategies to analyse the collected LA data from virtual laboratory and online teamwork. Several seminars were held and additional seminars are planned to exchange experience and disseminate results.
Results/observations/lessons learned
- Analysis of the survey of good practices and bottlenecks in digital education in Europe, especially during 2020 transition to remote teaching.
- Piloted e-learning courses/modules implementing different virtual laboratory and online teamwork technologies, methods and platforms, which engage the students in active interaction, rewarding learning and good learning experience.
- Recommendations of good practices in implementing virtual laboratory and teamwork modules.
- An actively collaborating new network of bioscience teachers benefiting from each other's different fields of special expertise and sharing of know-how.
Take-home message
Digital classroom is and will continue to be part of the learning environment in the higher education. Therefore it is important for us to learn from each others' experience in order to meet the needs of future students. Digital laboratories/simulations and teamwork can also provide valuable insights into where, when and how learning takes place. The main challenge at present is the quality of learning analytics data.
We will be presenting an overview of the project with key take-home messages from each IO.