Sponsored by EDEN (European Distance and e-Learning Network)
The iClass Challenge: Optimizing the Educational Process between Hell and Paradise Scenarios
The symposium is one of the concluding milestones of iClass – a 4.5-year integrated project of 17 partners from 10 countries.
The project is aimed at:
- Developing an integrative theoretical and pedagogical vision and model for enhancing self-regulated personalized learning and education (SRPL).
- Deducing from model operational methodologies to support the introduction of such an educational process in European societies.
- Designing an educational platform to directly support this process.
We emphasize “education” alongside “learning” since iClass vision and model relate to the holistic process of personal development, which extends beyond the process of learning. We believe that this integrative perspective which looks at learning and cognitive development through the perspective of education and personality development is necessary for achieving the European goals of the Lisbon strategy, including learning to learn, active citizenship, and increasing social cohesion on the European level. By the same token, it is necessary for European societies to successfully harness the power of digital technology for the causes of social cohesion and individual wellbeing.
iClass strives to make mindful use of the new horizons that are opened by ICT for enhancing pedagogically guided exploration and reflection processes which are necessary for this sake. We also aim at limiting the pitfalls integral to the new digital civilization.
iClass relies on a new approach to R&D, which involves a systematic and complex process that begins with the most abstract social and ethical considerations and values, and results with operational pedagogical methodologies for schools use and an ICT based platform for enhancing the desired educational processes in Europe.
This macro level, long term integrative approach is unique to iClass. We believe that it is a must for facing the mind-blowing promises, as well as menacing threats and ensuing optimization challenges which are part and parcel of the digital civilization, for working to advance social cohesion and for real investment in people.
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