AWARE

AWARE answers to the call HORIZON-CL2-2021-TRANSFORMATIONS-01-05 https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/horizon-cl2-2021-transformations-01-05

See attached file "AWARE_Abstract_v26v.pdf"

The project AWARE contributes to all of the following expected outcomes:

1. Increase the shared critical understanding of the potential, opportunities, barriers, accessibility issues and risks of using emerging technologies for teaching and learning, as well considering the framework for the sustainable digitisation of education and learning in the future.
2. Support education and training systems with research on the adaptation and mainstreaming of the use of digitally enhanced pedagogies, in order to augment and extend learning, while also maintaining its human dimension and social relevance.
3. Share evidence and good practice on equipping teachers, trainers, educational leaders and learners with the skills necessary for the use of technology in creative, critical, competent and inclusive ways
4. Analyse the needs for adequate teacher training in relation with new educational technologies.

The project supports the purposeful and pedagogical use of emerging technologies, including applications of artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and robotics in education and training, in order to foster 21st century skills such as communication, collaboration, digital literacy, critical as well as design thinking and creativity. This in turn should allow for more personalized and flexible ways of learning, including online and blended delivery.

The project examines the link with big data, learning analytics and artificial intelligence, to efficiently support distance learning. The research focuses on how different learners experience and benefit, or are excluded from, digitally enhanced learning (e.g., women and men students, students of a migrant background, students with disabilities, and/or learning difficulties, gifted and talented students, urban and rural populations, young and adult learners, etc.).

The project tackles the potential negative effects as well of using technologies in schools, such as cyber bullying, while also looking at the positive effects of using such technologies to increase students’ learning opportunities.

In addition, the research activities explore the effects of digital technologies on the learning of basic skills and also examines the resilience and the capacity for effective mass-deployment of e-learning capabilities in cases of crises, major emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic, disruptive events as well as man-made or natural disasters, which can undermine the human and social dimension of learning. The project also explores multi-stakeholder involvement and cooperation patterns in this context. The perspectives of educators, parents, and students informs this analysis.

The research activities identifies barriers, enablers and framework conditions for successfully embedding emerging technologies in educational practices, including necessary innovation skills for teachers and looks at the positive and negative effects of digital technologies on learning, educational outcomes and basic skills.

This is done in sustainable and ecologically responsible ways, addressing accessibility in an inclusive manner, and providing for the gradual move from small-scale projects and pilots to mainstream implementation and adoption. The ethical use of data generated by digital learning platforms and tools is equally of a particular focus.

The project also assesses potential vulnerabilities and negative unforeseen consequences, which might arise from the use of new technologies.

The project analyses the shifting role of teachers, trainers and educational leaders in the digital transition affecting education and training as well as their training needs, including digital and leadership skills, required in an emerging society of permanent and quick technological change. The activities addresses the active involvement of educators in shaping and co-designing education and training technological products and tools.

The project also examines the support necessary for Initial Teacher Education institutions for the development of innovative training programmes for pre-service teachers, fostering their future digital competence and confidence.