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Description
Education strategies in the field of software and future technologies led by XR technologies (enriched, extended and mixed reality) do not meet the needs of the economy in Slovenian and Europe. Augmented reality is one of the main technological trends, which will continue to grow rapidly over the next 5 years. Due to Covid-19, the use of XR technologies is gaining popularity as it enables remote work and the creation of simulation environments for learning, collaboration and socialising. Technologies are increasingly gaining ground in the processes of the creative and entertainment industry, entrepreneurship, trade, Industry 4.0, healthcare, and above all, exceptional shifts are taking place in the field of school education development. The goals of the project are: increase digital competences of target groups (teachers, training providers, mentors from companies, pupils, students, professional staff) in the field of content development, use and teaching with the help of augmented reality - innovative teaching for the 21st century; development of new innovative pedagogical approaches and didactic tools through the establishment of the XR Academy and elimination of gaps; establishment of an innovative, open and creative learning environment through the institutional cooperation of academia and industry (XR partnership), which is also the basis for informal and lifelong education. The aforementioned goals are achieved by establishing new educational programmes that respond to the needs of companies and provide students with access to technologies and tools in augmented reality. With teachers, mentors and experts from companies, appropriate work groups are defined using the Design Thinking method. Together with pupils and students within pilot activities (Living lab) the aim is to develop new digital learning tools for displaying enriched learning content, interactive XR assistants or for the development of applications that solve real needs in the field of economy.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to establish innovative practices in the introduction of new educational programmes in the field of virtual or augmented reality (VR and AR). The key focus was on promoting the development of digital competences and training teachers and mentors to develop new learning methods and content in the extended reality (XR) field for formal and non-formal education of young people and their integration into the pedagogical process.
The project enabled teachers and students to access the latest AR and VR equipment and operate these technologies and tools in a completely easy and attractive way. 7 demonstration environments were set up to test and evaluate 12 new training programmes and digital tools. 42 teachers and mentors cooperated in developing and testing of new teaching models.
The additional objective of sharing knowledge and good practices was ensured through the development of portable didactic aids or assistive tools and the setting up of a pilot living lab system. The experience gained have enabled the development of a new and innovative strategy and curriculum for the XR Academy, focused on the development of software and the use of future technologies, adapted to the needs of the market in Slovenia and at the EU level. 7 participating education and training institutions are using new teaching and learning practices and 16 people were trained to transfer knowledge to other educational staff.
The project has improved institutional cooperation at several levels, key to which is the established cooperation between secondary schools, faculties, companies and organisations, and the XR partnership, which integrates new teaching practices or new digital tools into its programmes. 119 participants cooperated in various forms of peer learning.
The main results achieved were:
- teachers and mentors trained;
- teacher trainings provided for the application of new models and methods of teaching;
- new teaching and learning aids/tools and new teaching practices developed;
- good institutional cooperation and XR partnership established.
The project addressed educational staff in higher education institutions, faculties and research institutions, education centres and schools, and also enterprises, business suport organisations and all other interested stakeholders to think in the form of augmented reality, in the form of professions and technologies of the future.
Summary of bilateral results
Bilateral cooperation with the Norwegian project partner has brought important results. At the partnership level (6 Slovenian project partners and a Norwegian project partner), innovative educational solutions in the field of XR were developed and the knowledge and experience transferred to the Slovenian environment. In this way, the Slovenian project partners strengthened their technical knowledge and understanding of advanced technologies. The exchange of experience and knowledge between the project partners has contributed to improving methodological approaches and developing educational programmes including XR technologies, but also to increasing the competitiveness of students, pupils and employees. The results of the project open up new opportunities for further development.