BOOSTING DIGITAL EDUCATION - IWM JOINS NEW COLLABORATIVE NETWORK

In a significant move towards advancing digital education, the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) has committed €30 million to support “Competence Centres for Digital and Digitally Supported Teaching in Schools and Further Education” over the next three and a half years. Taking the lead in coordinating these centres and overseeing the associated research and communication is a cross-regional consortium to which the IWM contributes its expertise in the field of science communication. The central coordination hub for the BMBF competence centres is headed by former IWM scientist Prof. Dr Katharina Scheiter at the University of Potsdam.

Nationwide, 60 experts in educational science, subject didactics, computer science, information technology and media management will be involved in this initiative. Three of these experts are based at the IWM as part of the Wisskomm sub-project, and a further five will join as part of the competence centres.

At present, the IWM researchers have assumed responsibility for the implementation and editorial oversight of the so-called “Zukunftsraum” (future space) on the project’s forthcoming online platform. This platform aims to present innovative research in educational psychology in a way that stimulates interest in technological developments and highlights their potential in the use of digital media for educational purposes. Online events are part of the IWM team’s Wisskomm concept, which draws on the expertise of the e-teaching.org online portal. Launched in 2003, this platform provides up to 10,000 daily visitors with scientifically grounded insights and practical guidance on incorporating digital media into higher education teaching.

Numerous partners are joining forces with the IWM, including the University of Tübingen, the University of Wuppertal, the Technical Universities of Dortmund and Munich, and the Universities of Duisburg-Essen and Kassel. In addition, prominent non-university partners, such as the DIPF | Leibniz Institute for Research and Information in Education, the German Institute for Adult Education - Leibniz Centre for Lifelong Learning, and the IPN - Leibniz Institute for Science and Mathematics Education, will contribute their valuable insights and expertise to the project.