EmTech4HE: Stimulating Higher Education instructional practices by supporting HEI Educators in enhancing teaching excellence, through leveraging EMerging TECHnologies (AR, VR, AI) for educational innovation and excellence
Specific programme: Cooperation partnerships in higher education (KA220-HED)
Project title: Stimulating Higher Education instructional practices by supporting HEI Educators in enhancing teaching excellence, through leveraging EMerging TECHnologies (AR, VR, AI) for educational innovation and excellence
Acronym: EmTech4HE
Research team:
- Nahia Idoiaga Mondragon (Ikertzaile Nagusia)
- Idoia Legorburu Fernández (Ko-Ikertzaile Nagusia)
- Nekane Beloki Arizti
- Karmele Artano Pérez
- Idoia Zarrazquin Arizaga
- Ion Yarritu Corrales
- María del Mar Boillos Pereira
- Naiara Berasategi Sancho
- Markel Rico González
- Iratxe Antonio Agirre
- Nagore Martinez Merino
- Amaia de la Fuente Gaztañaga
- Miren Aguirregoitia Guenechea
- Itziar Kerexeta Brazal
Partner entities:
- UNIVERSIDAD DEL PAÍS VASCO/EUSKAL HERRIKO UNIBERTSITATEA (Project Leader)
- KATHOLIEKE HOGESCHOOL VIVES NOORD
- PANEPISTIMIO PATRON
- RESEARCH AND EDUCATION OF SOCIAL EMPOWERMENT AND TRANSFORMATION-RESET LTD
- ANKARA HACI BAYRAM VELI UNIVERSITESI
- UNIVERSITY OF CYPRUS
Total budget: €250,000.00
Project start: 01/12/2024
Project end: 30/11/2026
Total project duration: 24 months
Project summary:
Contemporary Higher Education institutions are confronted with growing demands to provide exceptional learning experiences for a progressively diverse student body, along with the challenge of delivering outstanding, technologyenhanced teaching and sustainability (Kuleto et al., 2021). HEI need to make a shift but need support and inspiration to take actions, otherwise they might fail the unique opportunity to thoroughly renew, expand and enhance their education through the digital revolution. Despite the advantages of new technologies such as AI and XR (includes AR, MR, VR), the adoption remains minimal, and numerous educators are reluctant to incorporate it into their courses due to the absence of a pedagogical framework for implementation. The motivation of EmTech4HignerExcellence comes from an acknowledgment of the transformative power that education has for preparing future citizens and the need for universities to integrate emerging technologies such as AI, VR, XR, etc. (Romero-Gonzalez et.al., 2020).
Several factors underscore the significance of this project and justify its funding:
- Adapting to dynamic challenges: To prepare current and future generations for this dynamic landscape, Higher educational practices must evolve in tandem with technological advancements (Romero-Gonzalez et.al., 2020).
- Addressing skills mismatches through collaboration with industry: University–industry collaborations (UICs) are important interactions for transferring knowledge or technologies, stimulating growth and improving innovative activities. The collaboration with AI and XR industry professionals ensures that educational outcomes align with the evolving needs of the labour market, reducing skills mismatches.
- Quality enhancement and recognition with innovative pedagogies: The introduction of AI, VR, XR driven quality assurance mechanisms reflects a commitment to continuous improvement and enhanced study experiences, contributing to the overall quality culture in higher education (Rangel-de Lazaro & Duart, 2023).
Enter EmTech4HE, a project that adopts an innovative approach to:
- Address the need for adapting to dynamic challenges and stimulating innovative instructional practices an accelerating digital transformation through a strategic integration of emerging technologies, fostering skills development and innovation excellence in higher education.
- Establish a sustainable network of HEI educators, drawing inspiration from the collaborative models promoted by organizations like the Global Education Coalition (GEC) and the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) to facilitate ongoing collaboration and knowledge-sharing (GEC, 2021; ISTE, 2022) in the field of emerging technologies in the HE sector.
- Implement a participatory action research methodology through the establishment of the Excellence Group consisting of AR, VR, AI Industry and Academic experts, HEI educators, representatives of SMEs in emerging
More information on the programme:
https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/opportunities/opportunities-for-organisations/cooperation-among-organisations-and-institutions/partnerships-for-cooperation