Learning Environments for Progressive Inquiry Research Group

The Learning Environments for Progressive Inquiry Research Group (short name: Learning Environments group) is involved in research, design and development of New Media tools, as well as their use and application, in the field of learning.

The research group was founded in 1998 when the University of Art and Design's Media Lab launched its initiative on future learning environments in cooperation with the Centre for Research on Networked Learning and Knowledge Building at the University of Helsinki. Since then the group has collaborated in, generated and coordinated several research and development projects at national, Nordic and European levels. The Learning Environments group carries out research and design in the areas of:

• Computer supported collaborative learning (CSCL);
• Information and communication technology (ICT) in learning (PCs, PDAs, mobile phones etc.);
• ICT in creative group work and design;
• ICT in empowerment through learning;
• Learning environments enhanced with technology.

The group's approach to research and design of New Media and learning is theory-based but design-oriented. This means that besides the academic research papers the outcomes of the group are often software systems, software prototypes, applications and scenarios.

The group's works are based on the social constructivist theory that sees learning as a participation in social processes of knowledge construction. Members of the group come from very different backgrounds covering education, computer science and design, but they all share the same pedagogical thinking. The members of the group are:

Teemu Leinonen (group leader)
Tarmo Toikkanen
Hans Põldoja
Linus Roune
Eunice Ratna Sari
Anna Salmi
Jürgen Scheible
Giedre Kligyte
Docent Pirita Seitamaa-Hakkarainen

Vintage / visitors:

Kimmo Wideroos
Janne Pietarila
Samu Mielonen
Asta Raami
Lauri Makela
Bo Granlund
Otso Virtanen

Current Projects:

• CALIBRATE - Calibrating eLearning in Europe (2005-2007)
• WP3 - LeMill (Learning Mill) - Toolbox development
• PILOT - Progressive Inquiry Learning Object Templates
• MobilED - Mobile Phones in Formal and Informal Learning in Developing Countries (2005-2007)
• UNESCO - Young Digital Creators Educators Kit (2005-2006)
• UNESCO - Art, Design and Technology Master Classes in the Arab States (2005-2006)

• Bisociation Tool - Victor Papanek's "Paper Computer" (2004-2005)
• UNESCO Young Digital Creators (2003-2005)
• UNIVe - Creating network-based e-university model for the small countries in the context of e-learning in Europe (2004-2005)

• Fle3 (2001-)
• www.euro-cscl.org (2002-)
• ITCOLE - Innovative Technologies for Collaborative Learning and Knowledge Building (2001-2004)

• Genre / Helsinki Region Centre of Expertise (2004)
• Database of Art Teaching Practice (2004-)
• ArtEd Studio - international database of teaching practice (2004-)
• S-Equal - collaborative story chain for mobile learning
• Ubiquitous Computing Facilitating Collaborative Knowledge Building (Pending)

Past Projects:

• Fle2 / NordUnet2 (2000-2001)
  
• Future Learning Environment / Tekes (1998-2000)