[CfP] Special Issue on „Applications of Digital Technology and AI in Educational Settings“ #call #AI

We are very happy to invite submissions to the special issue “Applications of Digital Technology and AI in Educational Settings” in Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417), part of the “Computing and Artificial Intelligence” section. This special issue explores the innovative uses of digital tools and artificial intelligence in enhancing education.

Submission Deadline: 20 March 2025

For more information and to submit your manuscript, visit the MDPI Special Issue Page.

[ijet, journal] Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning Vol. 19 / No.07 #ijet #research

Issue 19(07) of our journal on emerging technologies for learning got published. Enjoy the readings as usual for free :-).

Table of Contents:

  • Looking into Students’ Cognitive Processes in an Online Collaborative Learning Environment
  • A Systematic Review of Software for Learning Analytics in Higher Education
  • Michael Hansmeyer’s Algorithmic Architecture: The Transformative Impact of 3D Printing on Architectural Design and Education
  • Unravelling Technology Acceptance: Lessons Learnt from Teacher’s Experience During COVID-19 for Post-Pandemic Systemic Education
  • A Review of Empathy Education with Digital Means among College Students
  • Hybrid Approach Using Multi-Relational Weighted Matrix Factorization (WMRMF) and Cohen’s Kappa (Sk) to Refine Educational Items Clustering
  • Enhancing Student Engagement: Technology Acceptance in Higher Education During Covid-19
  • Developing Future Teachers’ Academic Writing and Critical Thinking Skills Using ChatGPT
  • A Sociological Take on Language Generative AI Tools

[Link to Issue 19/06]

Nevertheless, if you are interested to become a reviewer for the journal, please just contact me 🙂 .

[publication] Should Universities partner with NGOs? A Case Study of a University of Technology and a Coding School for Refugees #research

At this years‘ EDEN conference we made a publication titled „Should Universities partner with NGOs? A Case Study of a University of Technology and a Coding School for Refugees

Abstract:
This paper explores the advantages of a University-NGO Partnership between the Faculty of Informatics at Vienna University of Technology (TU Vienna) and the NGO „refugees{code}-, a coding school for refugees in Vienna, Austria. The goal of this collaboration is twofold: Firstly, to help students apply coding skills practically and enhance their proficiency through teaching experiences with underrepresented groups; and secondly, to provide refugees with meaningful activities that match their profession, education, and personal interests, which might have been interrupted in their home countries. The study evaluates the perspectives of the stakeholders involved. To do so, written surveys and interviews with computer science students, refugees and team members of the NGO were conducted. The results indicate that meaningful educational benefits for computer science students can be created within such partnerships, such as enhanced teaching abilities, dispelled prejudices, insights into the factors affecting refugees‘ educational and career trajectories, as well as improved communication and empathy skills. However, challenges for such partnerships also exist, including giving student teachers more time for meetings and discussions, empowering them to make decisions, providing access to counseling psychologists and interpreters, and offering support in managing participants‘ expectations. The findings shed light on the potential benefits from participating in campus-community partnerships and suggest several measures to improve them, such as providing additional ECTS credits, intensifying promotional activities to encourage greater student participation, providing alumni support, and issuing official certificates.

[article @ proceeding’s homepage]
[article @ ResearchGate]

Citation: Wolf, D. and Ebner, M. (2024) ‘Should Universities partner with NGOs? A Case Study of a University of Technology and a Coding School for Refugees’, Ubiquity Proceedings, 4(1), p. 36. Available at: https://doi.org/10.5334/uproc.158.

[publication] Usage of (federated) Learning Management Systems in European University Alliances #tugraz

We made a contribution about our outcomes of the European alliance titled „Usage of (federated) Learning Management Systems in European University Alliances

Abstract:
In today’s rapidly evolving educational landscape, European universities are increasingly relying on digital technologies for collaboration and learning. European Universities, as transnational alliances, aim to reshape higher education by fostering academic exchange and innovation across borders. With over 40 alliances in existence, enhancing virtual mobility and exchange through interconnected learning infrastructures has become imperative. This paper provides insights into Learning Management System (LMS) adoption within European alliances, focusing on the Unite! alliance as a case study. While Unite! demonstrates successful implementation of Moodle as its central LMS, challenges persist in achieving uniformity across all partners. A desktop analysis of European alliances reveals that Moodle might be the most often used LMS in February 2023. A description of the LMS implementation within the Unite! analysis shows as well that a majority uses Moodle – at least as a second LMS. So, although the decision for a federated LMS based on Moodle might be the right one, these results as well indicate the need for tailored technical solutions for future developments for some partners and disparities in lecturers‘ and students‘ concerning a Moodle so that pre-emptive measures to ensure equitable participation are important. Despite these challenges, Unite!’s experience underscores the potential of Moodle as a widely adopted platform, prompting further exploration into solutions like LTI integration.

[article @ proceeding’s homepage]
[article @ ResearchGate]

Citation: Ebner, M., Schön, S., Alcober, J., Bertonasco, R., Herczak-Ciara, A., Hoppe, C., Martikainen, J., Muchitsch, M., Petersson, J. and da Silva, F.M. (2024) ‘Usage of (federated) Learning Management Systems in European University Alliances’, Ubiquity Proceedings, 4(1), p. 37. Available at: https://doi.org/10.5334/uproc.159.

[workshop] Collective GPT verstehen #tugraz #bildungsinformatik #künstlicheIntelligenz

Benedikt hat einen sehr netten Workshop erstellt um anschaulich die Funktionsweise einer generativen KI zu erklären:

In der Fortbildung Digitale Tools im Unterricht wurde unser kollektiver Chatbot ed-tech.app eingesetzt, hier finden Sie die Fragen und Antworten von ChatGPT 4o-mini zur Nachlese. Dabei wurde von den Teilnehmenden zuerst der Satz vervollständigt, und im Hintergrund ChatGPT 4o-mini parallel angefragt. Sie können die Antworten von ChatGPT hier im Blogeintrag nachlesen.

Sein Workshop ist auf unsere Bildungsinformatik.at Seite zum Nachlesen frei verfügbar – viel Spaß damit 🙂

[publication] Workshop: Experiences with Artificial Intelligence in the Classroom #tugraz #research #edtech

We did a workshop at this year’s ED-Media Conference about „Experiences with Artificial Intelligence in the Classroom

Abstract:
This year’s SIG meeting will focus intensively on the topic of „Experiences with Artificial Intelligence in the classroom“. AI changes education maybe radically and had hopefully a positive impact on education. Therefore, we ask for short presentations and inputs to discuss our practical experiences with AI use in education amongst all participants. Everyone is cordially invited to come and share their challenges, their impact, their worries or success stories or to get to know the latest findings and tools.

[article @ publisher’s homepage]
[article @ ResearchGate]

Reference: Ebner, M. & Brünner, B. (2024). Experiences with Artificial Intelligence in the Classroom. In T. Bastiaens (Ed.), Proceedings of EdMedia + Innovate Learning (pp. 1180-1181). Brussels, Belgium: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE). Retrieved July 22, 2024 from https://www.learntechlib.org/primary/p/224665/.

[publication] Workshop: Creating Educational Videos with an AI Avatar Video Generator #tugraz #research

We did a workshop at this year’s ED-Media conference in Brussels about „Creating Educational Videos with an AI Avatar Video Generator

Abstract:
The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the creation of learning materials represents a cutting-edge frontier. This workshop is designed for educators, content creators, and instructional designers, and will introduce participants to the potential of AI avatar software in the production of educational videos. Through interactive demonstrations and guided practice, participants gain practical skills in utilizing AI avatar software to create educational videos that meet different learning styles and needs. We will explore case studies of successful implementations and discuss strategies for integrating AI avatars into various educational contexts, from K-12 to higher education and corporate training. Additionally, the workshop will address ethical considerations and best practices in the use of AI in education, ensuring that participants are equipped to responsibly navigate the challenges of digital content creation. Participants will leave the workshop with an initial understanding of the capabilities of AI avatar software and their first experience in creating educational videos with this new technology.

[article @ publisher’s homepage]
[article @ ResearchGate]

Reference: Brünner, B. & Ebner, M. (2024). Creating Educational Videos with an AI Avatar Video Generator. In T. Bastiaens (Ed.), Proceedings of EdMedia + Innovate Learning (pp. 1165-1166). Brussels, Belgium: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE). Retrieved July 22, 2024 from https://www.learntechlib.org/primary/p/224664/.

[presentation] iMooX.at und OERhub.at – zwei nationale Lehrplattformen als OER-Shared-Services #imoox #OER #tugraz

Jana und ich dürfen heute bei der ACO-TEC Veranstaltung in Wien über iMooX und OERhub eine kurze Präsentation halten. Hier gibt es dazu die Folien:

Zitation: Ebner, M., & Herwig, J. (2024, September 18). iMooX.at und OERhub.at – zwei nationale Lehrplattformen als OER-Shared-Services. Graz University of Technology. https://doi.org/10.3217/ch36n-r7x58

[publication] Federated virtual learning management in a European University alliance: General challenges and first experiences using LTI to connect LMS in Unite! #tugraz #research

Our research about „Federated virtual learning management in a European University alliance: General challenges and first experiences using LTI to connect LMS in Unite!“ was published at this year’s ED-Media conference in Brussels.

Abstract:
This paper explores the challenges and first experiences of implementing federated virtual learning management within the European University Alliance Unite!. Through the lens of Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI), the study investigates the complexities inherent in connecting Learning Management Systems (LMS) across diverse institutional contexts. This research examines the general hurdles faced by European university alliances in adopting federated LMS. Additionally, it outlines the LMS infrastructure of Unite! in early 2024 and discusses the pilot initiatives undertaken to utilize LTI for connecting LMS platforms at Graz University of Technology (TU Graz). The pilots involve integrating Unite!’s Metacampus with various platforms, including Moodle-based systems from TU Graz. Drawing from these pilot experiences, the paper presents insights and lessons learned regarding the efficacy of LTI in facilitating cross-platform connectivity within Unite! and offers implications for future implementations.

[article @ publisher’s homepage]
[article @ ResearchGate]

Reference: Schön, S., Ebner, M., Edelsbrunner, S., Gasplmayr, K., Hohla-Sejkora, K., Leitner, P. & Taraghi, B. (2024). Federated virtual learning management in a European University alliance: General challenges and first experiences using LTI to connect LMS in Unite!. In T. Bastiaens (Ed.), Proceedings of EdMedia + Innovate Learning (pp. 123-136). Brussels, Belgium: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE). Retrieved July 22, 2024 from https://www.learntechlib.org/primary/p/224514/.

[publication] The Development of “Teaching Management Patterns” from the Perspective of IT Infrastructure as a tool for consulting and further development in a European university alliance #tugraz #unite #research

Our this year’s publication at ED-Conference 2024 in Brussels was about Teaching Management Patterns and titled „The Development of “Teaching Management Patterns” from the Perspective of IT Infrastructure as a tool for consulting and further development in a European university alliance

Abstract:
This paper introduces Teaching Management Patterns (TMP) as a descriptive and communicative framework for addressing challenges and decision-making processes related to IT infrastructure in the Unite! European university alliance. The aim is to support decision-making and consultation in utilizing the alliance’s IT infrastructure effectively. TMP offer abstract descriptions for educational scenarios, considering factors such as organizational structures, technical capabilities, legal frameworks, and didactic requirements. The paper presents the development of these patterns specifically for the Unite! alliance, highlighting their role in decision support for using the transversal, alliance wide learning management system, Metacampus. Three exemplary cases are presented to illustrate the challenges, including continuing education for staff, joint lectures involving multiple universities, and research contributions. The patterns are categorized based on their compatibility with Metacampus, providing visual representations. The paper also introduces a decision tree as a counseling tool for determining the appropriateness of using Metacampus, considering legal and organizational restrictions. In conclusion, TMP offer a systematic approach for addressing IT infrastructure complexities in a European university alliance. The presented patterns and decision tree serve as valuable consultation tools for decision-making processes regarding the use of the alliance’s IT infrastructure.

[article @ publisher’s homepage]
[article @ ResearchGate]

Reference: Schön, S., Gasplmayr, K., Ebner, M., Alcober, J., Hoppe, C., Koschutnig-Ebner, M., de Silva, F.M. & Taraghi, B. (2024). The Development of “Teaching Management Patterns” from the Perspective of IT Infrastructure as a tool for consulting and further development in a European university alliance. In T. Bastiaens (Ed.), Proceedings of EdMedia + Innovate Learning (pp. 137-146). Brussels, Belgium: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE). Retrieved July 22, 2024 from https://www.learntechlib.org/primary/p/224515/.