Near and far in time and space - Digital learning for equal education
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | IFOUS AB |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 400 000 |
| Project duration | April 2019 - December 2019 |
| Status | Completed |
| Venture | Challenge-Driven Innovation – Stage 1 initiation |
| Call | Challenge-Driven Innovation stage 1 initiation – 2019 |
Important results from the project
Lack of educated teachers is one of the major challenges for schools. Digitalisation in itself will not solve the problem, but online and distance education can help to ease the situation. Knowledge of such teaching is limited and there is a lack of research. The project therefore aims to contribute to research-based method development in the area. Objective in step 1 was to carry out a survey to get a picture of which areas are most in need of development. This survey is completed and constitutes the basis for planning of future R&D efforts.
Expected long term effects
The purpose is to increase knowledge about online and distance education so that it can serve as a complement to traditional education, when needed and with respect for the school´s entire assignment and students´ right to support and stimulation. In step 1, the goal was to analyse the current situation and to identify needs and conditions of schools who provide online and / or distance education. This has been done through surveys, interviews and school visits. The results have been discussed at seminars with teachers and school leaders as well as at work meetings in the project group.
Approach and implementation
The project has involved all levels in the project partners´ organisations; teachers, school leaders and managers at the administration level who, together with researchers, participated in the implementation and processing of the results. This is an important prerequisite for long-term sustainable results. An important prerequisite is also that there is room for collegial exchange of experience within and between activities. However, one difficulty has been securing time for development work. This is especially true for teachers.