Integrating Learning Analytics and Semantics in Problem Based Learning (Erasmus+ KA3 - Support for policy reform - Forward-Looking Cooperation Projects)

The current ever-changing world causes economies, technologies and professional domains to constantly transform. As a result, all sectors require competent workforce with skills to quickly adapt to rapid changes. The Problem Based Learning (PBL) strategy addresses this challenge by accommodating active learners’ participation and corresponding skills development. However, PBL in its present mode has reached its maximum potential and should exploit innovative ways to unleash new capabilities. On the other hand, innovative approaches, like Learning Analytics (LA), can be confusing and overwhelming since they are still under-explored and lack structure.
The project aims to integrate LA in PBL to capitalize on their respective strengths and overcome their drawbacks. In addition, the semantic annotation of resources can enhance this new paradigm by enabling personalized learning.
Project goals and corresponding results include:
-construct a new educational approach that combines PBL with LA respecting legal and ethical considerations (termed PBL_LA)
-design a semantic model for PBL_LA for the annotation of learning resources
-adapt open source tools to support PBL_LA and develop an intuitive semantic annotation tool
-create relevant, semantically annotated educational materials and perform trials to draw evidence-based conclusions
-produce relevant policy recommendations that can raise the quality in education and training
-create an organic ecosystem of organizations, researchers, learners, etc with an interest in PBL_LA.
The project is anticipated to have significant impact as:
-educators and trainers will be able to use novel pedagogical approaches
-learners will be equipped with competitive skills
-learning resources will be semantically annotated and opened for re-use
-policy actions will be available for adoption by universities and organizations that carry out trainings
-a culture of collaboration will be developed to foster innovation in the new PBL3.0 paradigm.