e-Learning Lab: Center for User centred Innovation, Learning and Design

1. e-Learning Lab: Center for User centred Innovation, Learning and Design Department of Communication Aalborg University www.ell.aau.dk Lone Dirckinck-Holmfeld Kaleidoscope seminar, ICT and Learning, 29th-30th of September

2. 1.2 The location of Aalborg University (AAU) • Aalborg is situated in the Northern part of Jutland. • The ”city” of Aalborg houses app. 160.000 people • In your terms – a town 

3. 1.3 Short facts on Aalborg University • Aalborg University was inaugurated in 1974 • In 2001 more than 12.000 students within: Engineering, Natural sciences, Social Sciences and Humanities • Aalborg University now has a budget on app. 1.000.000.000 DKR (1 RM = 1,5 DKR) • For more information please visit:http://www.aau.dk

4. Aalborg University - main principles • The pedagogical model: POPBL • The research structure • The regional co-operation • The international dimension • The securing of quality • Lifelong learning – mixed mode • Information and Communication technology and Innovation Overfor det klassiske universitetsideal (Humboldt) ser vi nu et krav og ønske om universitetets meget mere direkte anvendelse og samspil i den samfundsmæssige udvikling, bl.a. i konceptet om ”trible helix” som et samarbejde mellem det offentlige, private institutioner og videninstitutioner (universiteter). Som beskrevet af Jacobsen, 2001 p. 36 (med reference til Novotny, 1999). I ’modus 1´- den klassiske akademiske form for vidensproduktion – er det det akademiske samfund alene der afgør hvad der er god forskning. I den nye vidensproduktion ’modus 2’ ligger en væsentlig del af det samfundsmæssige ansvar i samarbejdet mellem forskere og brugere. (Jakobsen, 2001 p. 36).

5. Student qualification profile The students learn to • master the basic professional theories and methods • collect and use information and knowledge • work in an interdisciplinary way • formulate and solve complex problems by using different theories and methods • apply knowledge, needed to solve a given problem • cooperate • communicate in writing and speech when presenting professional results

6. POPBL - 5 principles • Problem-oriented studies • Project organized teaching • Group Based Learning • Interdisciplinarity • Integration af theory and practise in various curricula

7. Principles of problem based project work Lectures Literature Group Studies PROBLEM ANALYSIS PROBLEM SOLVING REPORT Tutorials Field Work Experiments

8. 4.2 A graphical representation and characteristics of POPBL • A semester consists of both course work and project work (50/50) • The students define their own projects within a “thematic framework” e.g. “Cultural Analysis” • Problem formulation and problem setting (enquiry) • Exemplary and interdisciplinary • Participants control • Project based • Action learning • Long time collaboration – all semester - ½ a year

9. Some differences between PBL & POPP • POPP • Problem formulation and problem setting (enquiry) • Exemplary and interdisciplinary • Participants control • Project based • Action learning • Long time collaboration -1/2 year • PBL • Problem solving • Disciplinary • Teacher / curriculum control • Individual / project • Task driven • Ad hoc

10. e-learning lab, Aalborg University • Established in 2000 via project funding (regional development project) • Since 2004 part of the Faculty of Humanities • ”Home” at Department of Communication • Strong tradition for research and development within ICT and learning • Funding comes from the university and from projects

11. Staff and ressources • Head of research (Prof. Lone Dirckinck-Holmfeld) • 3 members of faculty (ass. Professors) • 2 post doc • Ph.D.-students + • 5 full time research assistants (project funded) • 2 full time staff with pedagogical and technical expertice • Technical staff (Faculty IT-department) • 2 administrative staff (project administration) • students assistance (paid) • Students master thesis

12. e-learning lab - Vision • To be a dynamic research, development, and resource centre • To participate in research and development work at the following levels: • Local • Regional • National • International • To gather and develop knowledge within the field of user centred innovation, learning and design • To publish and share knowledge and best practices • Main domains: • Education • Health care, and • Governance (Read more at: http://www.ell.aau.dk/eng/)

13. Research approaches • Social experiments, development, tests and evaluation • Action research – actions, development and change • Dialogue Research – analyses, understanding and development of practice Focus on: • Collaboration and communication in relation to learning and work processes • Studies of practice and technology in use • Human computer interaction, interaction design, pedagogical design, teaching and learning Approaches: • Socio cultural in a broad sense: experiential learning, activity theory, communities of practice…..

14. References Projects and institutions • E-learning lab: www.ell.auc.dk (english version available 1st of January 2004) • Publications: http://www.ell.auc.dk/go/publikationer • Doctoral school on Human Centred Informatics (www.hci.hum.auc.dk) • Kaleidoscope: http://www.ell.auc.dk/go/forskning • EQUEL: http://tecfaseed.unige.ch/equel/equel.php • VISCA: http://www.hum.auc.dk/visca • VO@NET: http://www.voanet.dk • ELAC: http://www.elac.dk • AUW: http://www.asianuniversity.org/ • FlexNet: http://typo3.learningnet.dk (from 1st of April www.learningnet.dk) • DDN: http://www.detdigitalenordjylland.dk/en/welcome.htm Systems • Quickplace: http://www.lotus.com/products/qplace.nsf/homepage/$first • Moodle: http://www.moodle.org • Virtual-U: http://www.virtual-u.org/ • FirstClass: http://www.centrinity.com/ • Centra: http://www.centra.com/ • Fronter: http://fronter.no/norway/