Research Research UnitsLMT – Learning Media & Technology for Educational Research and Innovation in Education and Training

LMT – Learning Media & Technology for Educational Research and Innovation in Education and Training

Keywords: active learning, new technologies, digital and media competences, didactic research and innovation, instructional design, mobile learning, e-learning, technology-enhanced learning, technologies for disability, educational robotics, education 4.0, social inclusion, formal, non-formal and informal learning contexts, school, higher education, professional development, information-based education

 

Research topics: The research unit’s areas of interest are centered around six main investigation themes:

1) Teaching methodologies, professional development, innovation processes (digital and non-digital) in formal contexts (school and university).

2) Active learning, formative assessment and technologies to support the enhancement of learning processes in school and university teaching and, more generally, in training.

3) Digital citizenship, digital competence (in its various dimensions, from the strictly cognitive including computational thinking, to the ethical-social), media literacy education and social inclusion in formal, informal and non-formal contexts.

4) The research and application outlook of Technologies 4.0 in education with particular attention to the use of big data (Learning Analytics) and artificial intelligence systems.

5) Didactics and new technologies for special educational needs, with particular attention to the development of educational robotics in education and training contexts.

6) New frontiers in educational research supported by digital technologies, epistemology of educational research, informed education, and design-based research approaches.

 

Aims and objectives: The research unit proposes the following objectives:

1. To design and test interactive and inclusive didactic models for educational innovation in various contexts (schools, higher education, informal education, work-based learning, etc.) and for the active involvement of students in learning processes, with particular regard to the role of formative assessment.
2. To investigate new frontiers in technology-enhanced learning with reference to mobile learning, social learning, the use of immersive environments and visualization tools.
3. Develop and test theoretical models and application tools for the development of digital and media skills to promote digital citizenship and social inclusion.
4. Strengthen the relationship between theory and teaching practice in the context of evidence-informed education, with implications for teacher training and professional development.
5. Promote specific investigations in the field of special educational needs with a focus on technology for those with disabilities and developments in educational robotics.
6. Explore the new frontiers in digital educational research, the use of big data (learning analytics) and artificial intelligence systems in the educational domain, as well as the ethical implications related to such applications (e.g. with regard to the development of data-driven models).

 

Current projects:

1. Journals: leadership of Media Education journals: studies, research, best practices and the Journal of Media Literacy Education; contribution to the journal’s editorial coordination Form@re (Class A).

2. European projects: Media education for equity and tolerance project (MEET, closing); EAR project for innovation in school teaching (in progress); Gamele project on gamification and media education (in progress); APP2you project on information literacy and active citizenship (in progress); DEveloping TEachers' Critical digital liTeracies project on teacher training (in progress); project on the use of immersive video for innovation in university teaching (in progress).

3. University projects: scientific supervision of the DIDeL (Didattica in e-learning) project for university teaching innovation and professional development of teachers, promoted by SIAF within the framework of the university’s Progetto Strategico.

4. Innovative calls: Research grant funded by the University of Florence in the field of education 4.0; project on artificial intelligence and the transformation of learning spaces (under evaluation).

5. Internationalization: collaboration with the London Mobile Learning Group promoted by Norbert Pachler (University College London, UK); collaboration with the Media Education Lab, promoted by Renee Hobbs (University of Rhode Island, USA).

6. University and School Sector: studies and research on the professional profile of preschool and elementary school teachers (S3PI project). Training in media and digital skills for teachers, localization in Brazil of a course tested in Italy.

Coordinator:

Maria Ranieri

Members:

• Raffaella Biagioli
• Isabella Bruni
• Stefano Cuomo (FORLILPSI)
• Francesco Fabbro (FORLILPSI)
• Andreas Robert Formiconi
• Elena Gabbi (FORLILPSI)
  
• Renee Hobbs (University of Rhode Island, USA)
• Martha Kaschny Borges (State University of Santa Catarina, BR)
• Laura Menichetti
• Norbert Pachler (University College London, UK)
• Marta Pellegrini (FORLILPSI)
• Maria Chiara Pettenati (INDIRE)
• Francesca Pezzati
• Maria Ranieri

Others involved:

• SIAF
• INDIRE

Contact:

maria.ranieri(AT)unifi.it