Practices

Thematic Field: Maths, Science and Technology
UniSchooLabS: remote access for schools to university science labs
Comenius Multilateral Project
Institutions involved:
European Schoolnet (Belgium), MENON Network (Belgium), Ellinogermaniki Agogi
(Greece), Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche (Italy).
Coordinating institution:
Scienter (Italy)
Key words: Problem solving, Virtual learning environments, Teacher education
Description:
The UniSchooLabS aimed at improving quality in science education in Europe by
promoting collaboration between universities and schools in the provision of
remote access to science laboratories for primary and secondary schools through
internet. The project produced a tool-kit which supports the teachers in selecting a
remote or virtual lab and developing a lab activity based on an inquiry model
template.
The UniSchooLabs activities are composed of a number of pages and associated
folders that facilitate the teacher in organizing experiments for the students using
remote or virtual labs. The use of internet-based services and mobile
technologies allows access to science experiments that would not otherwise be
possible, because of the difficult or fragmented access to science laboratories in most
schools, especially for those based in rural areas.
The pedagogical approaches and scenarios developed within the project rely upon
inquiry-based learning and problem-solving approaches, where learners learn by
doing and through inquiry (science experiments) both in real and in virtual
settings. These approaches foster creativity, analytical skills and motivate learners to
learn through the pleasure of discovery.
Duration:
2010 – 2012
Webpage:
http://unischoolabs.eun.org/
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