This research area investigates several aspects related to the design, implementation, use and evaluation of technologies (Internet-based, mobile and other devices) to support learning and teaching processes. One of the main issues in this line of research is which are the most appropriate technologies and how can they support different pedagogical approaches. This includes the study of the mechanisms and strategies used by learners to communicate and collaborate with peers and tutors in an online learning context. The use of techniques and methodologies from artificial intelligence and machine learning areas for modeling learners' behavior is also considered.
Thesis proposals:
- Business simulations and its impact on management competencies and skills
- Educational use of technology for teaching and learning in schools
- Ethical issues in ICT
- e-Assesment and automatic feedback in online mathematics
- Gamification & e-learning
- ICT for learning about the sciences and engineering
- Innovative tools for e-learning
- Learning analytics and visualization to understand and improve engagement in MOOCs
- Learning and assessment analytics
- Management skills in higher education
- Mathematical e-learning
- Mobile Devices in schools (MDS)
- The network society & institutions in education: institutional change, informal learning, Education 2.0, PLE & MOOC
- Teaching-learning project management
- Technology for learning grammar in children with Specific Language Impairment (SLI)
- Technology-enhanced assessment (e-assessment)
Business simulations and its impact on management competencies and skills
Researchers:
Dr. Enric Serradell, coordinador
Dra. Àngels Fitó
Dra. Maria Pujol
Prof. Ramon González
Research group:
This research seeks to analyse and design environments in which to create and develop suitable personal and professional decision-making skills. The research aims to systematize this knowledge to create, use and disseminate simulations as a tool for better approaching the complexity of decision-making in complex environments, mainly in companies, both as a part of professional learning and in subjects related to management and managerial skills.
Educational use of technology for teaching and learning in schools
Researchers:
Dr. Toni Badia, coordinador
Dra. Lorena Becerril Balín
Research group:
In the context of the school education, this research line include the follow research topics:
- Information literacy instruction.
- Information-problem solving learning assignments.
- Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL).
- Moodle use for learning.
- Mobile learning use (Tablet, Smartphone, etc.) for learning.
Ethical issues in ICT
Researchers:
- Social, educational and ethical implications of emerging ICT.
- STEM Education (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) for the promotion of gender inclusion and equity in the information society.
- Sustainable and responsible research and innovation in ICT.
e-Assesment and automatic feedback in online mathematics
Researchers:
Dra. Teresa Sancho, coordinadora
Dr. Josep M. Duart
Dr. Julià Minguillón
Research group:
The main objective of this research line is to analyse the effectiveness of quizzes with automatic feedback in online mathematics. Different educational scenarios could be considered:
a) Online subjects with a methodology based on regular activity through quizzes.
b) Active learning through a flipped classroom model with autonomous work based on quizzes and automatic feedback.
Gamification & e-learning
Researchers:
Dr. Enric Serradell, coordinador
Dra. Àngels Fitó
Dra. Maria Pujol
Prof. Ramon González
Research group:
This line of research intends to incorporate the gamification techniques to the learning processes in an online environment. The main goal is to study the gamification variables, their use and how gamification allows designing learning process more comprehensive, simpler and with more potential in academics and professional environments.
ICT for learning about the sciences and engineering
Researchers:
Experimental sciences in general – and physics in particular – are usually a very challenging subject for students and teachers. However, it is even more challenging in an e-learning environment because of the mathematical and symbolic language that is used, among other characteristics. How can mathematical formulae be written in the campus environment in a direct and easy way? How can a graphic or an idea be shown and explained? How can a question regarding a specific point of a drawing be addressed? How can we show an experiment being performed? This line of research studies how all these questions, among others, can be addressed. In particular, the effect of technological resources like videos, hypervideos, Present@ (which allows interaction through video), to name a few, can help students in physics (or any other experimental science). The methodologies used include quizzes and interviews and combine qualitative and quantitative research.
Innovative tools for e-learning
Researchers:
Dr. Enric Serradell, coordinador
Dra. Àngels Fitó
Dra. Maria Pujol
Prof. Ramon González
Research group:
GO2SIM Research Group
The objective of this research is the analysis, design and implementation of learning tools. Online learning has multiple tools that allow all participants to interact in the learning process. This line can be broken down into a further four:
- The first deals with the tools that allow content to be incorporated in the classroom. We would like to mention prominent educational videos and use the same asynchronously.
- Second is the analysis, design and study of new tools to facilitate collaborative co-working, either in a group or as a team.
- The third refers to innovative assessment processes, using a variety of systems and tools to facilitate the learning process and assessment. As an example, we can mention assessment systems based on online questionnaires, as well as others based on computer graphics, timelines or performing stories or cases.
- The fourth refers to interaction processes, intended to facilitate the exchange of teacher knowledge and feedback.
Learning analytics and visualization to understand and improve engagement in MOOCs
Researchers:
Dra. Teresa Sancho, coordinadora
Dr. Josep M. Duart
Dr. Julià Minguillón
Research group:
The phenomenon of massive open online courses (MOOCs) has created a new educational paradigm that, due to its particular characteristics, is interesting to study from the perspective of learning analytics. Thousands of students enrol in an array courses every week, but only a very small percentage (around 10%, being optimistic) completes a given course in a satisfactory manner. The diversity of user profiles, backgrounds and interests makes it very difficult to provide a single learning experience following a one-size-fits-all mode. In this context, in addition to defining the appropriate metrics to characterize a MOOC and put forth proposals for the definition of the "success" of such a course, the issues to be addressed are those related to the analysis of user engagement and retention.
Learning and assessment analytics
Researchers:
Dra. Ana Elena Guerrero
Dra. M. Antonia Huertas
Dr. Enric Mor
Dra. M. Elena Rodríguez
Research group:
Learning analytics can be defined as the measurement, collection, analysis and reporting of data about learners and their contexts, for the purpose of understanding and optimizing learning and the environments in which it occurs. This research area focuses on understanding e-assessment activity and generated data to better design e-assessment activities and tools. It faces many challenges in terms of scientific research, as it includes frameworks and techniques related to data collection, analysis and visualization.
Management skills in higher education
Researchers:
Dr. Enric Serradell, coordinador
Dra. Àngels Fitó
Dra. Maria Pujol
Prof. Ramon González
Research group:
Management skills in higher education are a transversal line of research related with innovative tools, gamification and simulations. Currently, learning processes do not rely solely on the accumulation and reproduction of knowledge; this knowledge should also be applied in certain personal and professional environments. In this sense, we must ensure that certain skills are achieved, especially those related to management and process management.
Mathematical e-learning
Researchers:
The goal is to analyse important aspects related to the online mathematics courses offered in higher education programmes, including: benefits and challenges, universities offering this type of education, methodological considerations, emergent technologies, learning projects and environments, etc. In addition, the key aspects of world-class mathematical e-learning models and their historical evolution are to be analysed. Special attention is paid to mathematical curricula in science and engineering degrees, where a lot of work needs to be done in order to adapt mathematics courses to the continuously changing educational needs of students.
Mobile Devices in schools (MDS)
Researchers:
Dr. Julio Meneses, coordinador
Dr. Sergi Fàbregues
Dr. David Rodríguez-Gómez
Research group:
The network society & institutions in education: institutional change, informal learning, Education 2.0, PLE & MOOC
Researchers:
This line of research addresses how the transition to a knowledge society and particularly information and communication technologies are challenging traditional education institutions. Of special interest are how informal learning is gaining momentum in opposition to traditional education and the education system, and what new practices and scenarios can be built to bridge both sides of the telescope.
Teaching-learning project management
Researchers:
Dr. Carlos Monzo, coordinador
Dr. David Garcia
Dr. José Antonio Morán
Research group:
Online education (ie e-learning) requires that students have self-regulation skills (e.g. time organization, setting goals, planning, etc.) in order to be successful. As a result, this research area focuses on providing students with tools that help them to be self-regulated and teachers with tools that help them to monitor their learners and thus be able to give better feedback. Some keywords related to this area could be: quantified-self, personal informatics systems, self-awareness, effective feedback and student.
Technology for learning grammar in children with Specific Language Impairment (SLI)
Researchers:
Research group:
Children with specific language impairment (SLI) have problems with the acquisition of grammar in oral language. The acquisition of grammar is based on procedural memory. The thesis will focus on analysing how technology can help to improve procedural memory and its effects on the acquisition of grammar.
Technology-enhanced assessment (e-assessment)
Researchers:
Dra. Ana Elena Guerrero
Dra. M. Antonia Huertas
Dr. Enric Mor
Dra. M. Elena Rodríguez
Research group:
TEKING Research Group
Technology can support nearly every aspect of assessment in one way or another, from the administration of individual tests and assignments to the management of assessment across a faculty or institution, or from automatically marked on-screen tests to tools to support human marking and feedback. The technology-enhanced assessment research line focuses on the wide range of technologies available and ways in which technology can be used to support assessment and feedback. It also includes on-screen assessment, often called e-assessment.