The conference in only in English.
Learning Adventures is an international scientific conference. Last years' edition was devoted to the role (the power or a lack of it) of devices in the teaching and learning process.
For:
- specialists in the fields of research and development for education, recreation, games,
- designers of educational robots, sets, or other study aids,
- creators of toys and games,
- researchers, scientists, exhibitions evaluators,
- curators or designers of educational exhibitions,
- teachers who create their own study aids,
- and everyone who is interested in innovative research regarding the learning process.
About the conference
In the modern world, we are torn between the faith in the power of objects, and the sense of agency coming from the contact with a touchscreen.
Of many experiences and experiments, which in the past were accompanied by physical contact with a telescope, test tube, or ramp, today we learn about through texts, pictures, or virtual reality. We spend more and more time on learning, but we want to spend less and less time struggling with the materiality of the world. Non-virtual by nature, the world presents us with very material challenges: destruction of the planet, global warming, unpredictable effects of quickly developing science and new technologies. How to use the potential of science and technology for the benefit of society? Is proficiency in codes and programs enough to solve all contemporary problems? How important is it for the learning process to have contact with matter, and construct knowledge based on the physical experience of the world?
Do the objects which teach children new and important skills fulfil their functions? Can we be confident about the future of today's students? Are good study aids enough to conduct great classes? Does a chemistry teacher, who only uses words, chalk, and a blackboard, have a chance to deeply interest their students in the subject?
Human constructs are not neutral. They have values, goals, usage concepts inscribed in them, as well as an image of a user who possesses certain traits. What assumptions about the future user – their gender, competences, and their way of using study aids – guide the designers of educational solutions, i.e. objects that are to support the teaching and learning processes? Does introducing new technology aids to education strengthen social divisions, or equal the chances?
In short: what do we know about the power (or a lack of it) of devices in the context of learning?
The program of the conference organised by the Copernicus Science Centre, New York Hall of Science, and SWPS University of Humanities and Social Sciences in Warsaw includes lectures, but also BADNIGHT! – an event during which scientists speak with dignity about their inspiring failures.
