BeLEARN is the competence center for digitalization in education. We research, innovate, network and offer solutions in the fields of digital skills, digital tools, data science for education, digital ethics and artificial intelligence (AI). We work with you to shape the teaching and learning of tomorrow - from practice and for practice.
Our everyday lives are becoming increasingly digitalised, which is why achieving and, above all, maintaining digital sovereignty is essential. To ensure this, BeLEARN, a centre of excellence for digitalisation in education, promotes research and translates the results into the fields of digital skills, digital tools, data science for education, digital ethics and artificial intelligence (AI). The focus is on relevance to educational practice, innovation and networking among all the stakeholders. We are experienced in educational practices and promote innovation. We are experienced in educational practices and promote innovation.
We are experienced in educational practices and promote innovation.
We conduct research and transform the results into concrete solutions for education.
We find answers to questions about teaching and learning in the digitalised world.
We connect researchers, entrepreneurs, start-ups and users.
Digital competencies, or digital skills, are among the key competencies that allow individuals not only to find their way around in a digitalised world, but also to actively participate and act with (digital) self-confidence.
These competences go beyond the use of digital tools and include knowledge surrounding the ethical challenges associated with the use of these technologies (digital ethics), as well as a basic understanding of how the technology works and the dynamics of the technological developments. Digital skills are essential for being able to meet the challenges of the digital transformation and to make full use of its opportunities.
The BeLEARN research projects focus on the teaching and assessment of these digital skills among the training participants.
Keywords: Digital Literacy / Computer Science Education / Media competences
Within the context of BeLEARN, digital tools refer to digital instruments that have been designed to support and further develop the processes of teaching and learning. These tools enable efficient working, the acquisition of information and the creation and editing of digital content.
For example, digital tools can be used to support the collaboration between individuals or groups and make it more efficient. This creates synergies and saves resources. The BeLEARN research projects also develop and assess the tools and test their effectiveness.
An additional example of digital tools are technologies in the area of extended reality (XR). XR is a collective term for all technologies that aim to enhance the human perception of reality by adding, modifying or completely replacing it with virtual elements. The use of XR technologies such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) allow for a true-to-life learning experience and can fundamentally transform the traditional learning environment such as the conventional classroom.
The BeLEARN research projects are currently looking into the use of XR in an educational context, developing innovative applications and content, and evaluating their effectiveness in terms of the learning process.
Keywords: Learning Management System (LMS) / Virtual Reality (VR) / Augmented Reality (AR) / Mixed Reality (MR) / 360° videos
Data Science in Education researches the collection, analysis and interpretation of large amounts of data with the goal of gaining new insights that can enhance the education system. An analysis of this data enables forecasts to be made and the identification of patterns, trends and correlations that can be used for educational practice.
Learning Analytics is an important sub-area. This involves analysing and interpreting data about students. This makes it possible to better understand the learning process, to optimise learning environments in a targeted way and to improve the learning outcomes.
In the BeLEARN research projects, the learning behaviour of students and their responses to digital learning tasks are analysed, for example, with the goal of optimising the teaching and learning processes. These analyses also allow forecasts to be made surrounding the learning outcomes and for the learning behaviour of the students to be optimised.
Keywords: Data Science / Learning Analytics / Adaptive Learning
The advancing pace of digitalisation and ever-increasing use of digital technologies are leading to new ethical challenges. These challenges include the question of how stakeholders who are connected with each other via networks – whether these are people or machines – should interact with each other. Another issue is the responsibility of the application developers who make the decisions. And then there is the issue of the impact of virtual reality and artificial intelligence on human consciousness and behaviour, as well as the question of what happens to the data and what it is used for. Responsible behaviour requires an understanding of the potential effects on both individuals and society.
Among others, BeLEARN projects are addressing the identification and management of AI-generated deepfake content.
Keywords: Data Protection / Data Security / Data Management Awareness / Ethics / Culture / Research Ethics / Deepfake
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a technology which enables computers to perform complex tasks that normally require human skills – such as logical thinking and creativity.
The wide range of topics that relate to AI encompasses several sub-areas, such as natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning: NLP uses rules and algorithms that enable computers to understand, interpret or manipulate human language. This allows for communications between people and computers via spoken or written language. Machine learning enables computers or algorithms to learn automatically from patterns and to gradually develop further.
The BeLEARN research projects are investigating the use and impact of AI such as ChatGPT on the area of education and developing and testing AI-based tools for educational practice.
Keywords: Machine Learning / Natural Language Processing (NLP) / Chatbots
The term is most commonly used in medicine and refers to interdisciplinary activities for the rapid translation of research results into practice. The term originates from Latin (translatio, from transferre = to transfer, to transfer). At BeLEARN, we understand translation to mean any bridges from research to practice and from practice to research.
Digitalisation brings with it a variety of challenges – also in education. Based on research, BeLEARN develops solutions for the educational environment. And based on the questions from practice, BeLEARN initiates research. Our goal is a quick translation, as in a bridge from research into practice and from practice to research. In this way, the latest research results can be quickly made usable for educational practice and the questions from practice can be taken up in research.
The term is most commonly used in medicine and refers to interdisciplinary activities for the rapid translation of research results into practice. The term originates from Latin (translatio, from transferre = to transfer, to transfer). At BeLEARN, we understand translation to mean any bridges from research to practice and from practice to research.
Digitalisation brings with it a variety of challenges – also in education. Based on research, BeLEARN develops solutions for the educational environment. And based on the questions from practice, BeLEARN initiates research. Our goal is a quick translation, as in a bridge from research into practice and from practice to research. In this way, the latest research results can be quickly made usable for educational practice and the questions from practice can be taken up in research.
Laupenstrasse 19, 3008 Bern
The BeLEARN Hub is just 6 minutes away from Bern train station. Researchers, start-ups and the administrative office work on new innovations here together under one roof. We are influencing the teaching and learning of tomorrow through digitalisation in education.