University of Lapland

About: University of Lapland is a education organization based out in Rovaniemi, Finland. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Arctic & Context (language use). The organization has 665 authors who have published 1870 publications receiving 39129 citations. The organization is also known as: University of Rovaniemi & Lapin yliopisto.

An application of a virtual learning environment in support of teaching and learning for design and technology education

Abstract: Audiovisual advances in Virtual Reality (VR) technology have given rise to innovative ways to teach and learn. However, so far, teaching and learning processes have been technologically driven as opposed to pedagogically led. This article identifies the development of a pedagogical model and its application to teaching, studying and learning with 3D virtual reality technologies. This is in the context of design and technology education, where it has been devised for the support of innovation education. This work promotes an understanding of the implications of virtual learning technologies in education for teachers, learners and educational decision-makers. Furthermore, it can be shown that when pedagogical considerations are given weight in the development of such technology-based learning services, improvements arise for all stakeholders.

Co-creating an enabling reading environment for and with Namibian children

Abstract: Namibian children's appreciation of literature is falling behind. While children develop functional literacy, enough to search the web and read for information finding, their skills plateau due to their limited forms of reading. Thus this paper draws on a participatory approach with different stakeholders aiming to co-create a stimulating and enabling reading environment for Namibian children. Four different participatory workshops were designed to discover ways to deepen the reading culture, in particular by exploring contexts in which children would read and also author books. Acknowledging the different roles of stakeholders in an ongoing national agenda of enhancing the Namibian reading culture, it becomes clear that the various aspirations of children as expressed in their designs need to be accounted for, interpreted and translated into a feasible plan of action. The paper outlines a way of using participatory design workshops at a number of levels to obtain design inspirations for further interventions towards enhancing kids' reading experiences.

State formation and the rise of elementary education at the periphery of Europe: the cases of Finland and Turkey 1860-1930

Abstract: This article addresses the role of the state and state formation in the establishment of national education during the nineteenth century and early twentieth century. Through a comparative case analysis of two countries at the European periphery (Finland and Turkey), this article shows how national educational systems, in both instances, were driven by periods of intense state building. In the nineteenth century, military defeats sparked educational reforms, and in the early nineteenth century school laws were enacted due to the establishment of the republics of Finland and Turkey. Nevertheless, these examples also show the limits of a state formation perspective. Despite changes in educational policy, neither state reached high enrolment levels in the nineteenth century, and only in Finland schooling for all was realised in the 1930s. Thus, this work encourages further comparative analyses of the social, economic and political circumstances in which these states acted.

Concepting Wearables for Ice-Hockey Youth

Abstract: In this workshop paper, we present our work in progress where we utilize sensor-based wellness data to benefit teenage ice-hockey players in their hobby. We created an application concept and mock-ups of wearable sensors, and conducted a service design workshop with a teenage ice-hockey team.