LE@D - Laboratório de Educação a Distância e eLearning / Laboratory of Distance Education and eLearning
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O Laboratório de Educação a Distância e eLearning (LE@D), da Universidade Aberta, é um centro de investigação financiado por fundos nacionais através da FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P., no âmbito dos projetos, UIDB/04372/2020 e UIDP/04372/2020.
O LE@D encontra-se organizado em Áreas Estratégicas de Investigação onde se integram os investigadores e projetos nacionais e internacionais: Área 1 – Teorias e Práticas em Educação Aberta e a Distância; Área 2 - Educação e Sustentabilidades; Área 3 - Educação e problemáticas no pós-digital
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Browsing LE@D - Laboratório de Educação a Distância e eLearning / Laboratory of Distance Education and eLearning by Field of Science and Technology (FOS) "Ciências Sociais"
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- Assessing digital and Info-communication competencies in higher education: a blended approach for e-Learning environmentsPublication . Henriques, Susana; Correia, Joana Duarte ; Carvalho, João Vidal; Abreu, António; Silva, Manuel; Costa, Eusébio Ferreira da; Costa, José Alfredo Ferreira daIn an era increasingly shaped by information and communication technologies, assessing digital and info-communication competencies among students has become a focal point for academic and institutional initiatives. Various projects, both within and outside Academia, have sought to classify students’ competencies at different levels, often relying on standardized tests and self-assessment questionnaires. However, as technological advancements rapidly evolve, universities face mounting pressure to align educational strategies with high levels of digital and info-communication proficiency and with the competitive demands of the labor market. It is, therefore, important to study these assessment tools further. Blended assessment methods, combining practical tests with self-perception questionnaires, offer a more nuanced evaluation of students’ digital competencies. By integrating objective skills assessments with self-reported proficiency, this approach captures a broader spectrum of abilities, recognizing the influence of diverse teaching models, students’ academic backgrounds, prior digital exposure, and access to technological resources. This is particularly relevant in distance higher education, where continuous engagement in virtual learning environments provides ongoing opportunities for monitoring digital and info-communication competencies development. Despite growing academic interest in this field, empirical research on digital and info-communication competencies in Portuguese higher education, particularly in e-learning contexts, remains limited. This paper presents the development of a digital literacy test and a questionnaire designed to assess students’ digital and info-communication practices. These instruments were created as part of the ongoing research project Digital and Infocommunicational Competencies in Virtual Learning Environments: Practices in e-Learning Curricular Units in Portuguese Higher Education.
- Education for democracy in virtual environment: teacher training practices for aesthetic and embodied learningPublication . Neves, Cláudia; Oliveira, Juliana Gazzinelli de; Almeida, Ana Patrícia; Abelha, Marta; Abrantes, PedroThis paper presents the results of an online continuous training course developed within the scope of the European project AECED (Aesthetic and Embodied Learning for Democracy-as-becoming), focused on teachers and educators of pre-school, early years and vocational education in Portugal. Based on the principles of Aesthetic and Embodied Learning for Democracy (AELD) and anchored in the Participatory Action Research (PAR) methodology, the training promoted spaces for co-research, critical reflection and pedagogical co-creation in a digital environment. The training proposal articulated somatic and aesthetic approaches with the foundations of democratic pedagogy, aiming to reconfigure teaching practices and expand the possibilities of an education centered on sensitivity, expression and dialogue. The research was based on the qualitative analysis of multiple data sources — discussion forums, reflective diaries, interviews and pedagogical projects with audiovisual and narrative documentation in all phases of the course, lasting eight weeks. The analysis revealed significant changes in the participants’ conceptions of democracy in education, revealing a shift from a normative and curricular vision to a relational, sensitive perspective situated in everyday practices. Teachers began to recognize the body and sensoriality as legitimate dimensions of mediation of knowledge and democratic coexistence, assuming their role as facilitators of participatory and inclusive contexts. Despite the technical and institutional challenges associated with eLearning — such as limitations on sharing multimedia materials, ethical restrictions on the use of images, and difficulties in emotional connection in asynchronous environments — participants mobilized creative strategies that allowed them to overcome these obstacles. The activities developed included visual narratives, movement workshops, the creation of thematic performances, and sensitive listening dynamics, fostering critical thinking, empathy, inclusion, and mutual respect. These experiences revealed that, even in digital environments, it is possible to create aesthetic and embodied learning spaces capable of promoting democratic values and renewing pedagogical engagement. Another central aspect that emerged was the appreciation of collaborative dynamics, which were expressed in forums and shared activities as ways of building online learning communities. Through mutual support, sharing of vulnerabilities and active listening, participants created networks of co-reflection and pedagogical experimentation. The application of the Community of Inquiry model allowed us to analyze how cognitive, social and pedagogical presence was constructed throughout the course, favoring an ethical, critical and relational learning experience. The results suggest that the articulation between AELD and PAR in digital environments represents a promising path for the professional development of teachers and for the reinvention of more sensitive, participatory and democratic educational practices. The work also continued with recommendations to expand the integration of aesthetic and embodied approaches in teacher training, including greater curricular flexibility, institutional support for pedagogical experimentation, appreciation of sensitive and bodily expression as a formative dimension, and public policies that encourage education centered on listening, inclusion and democratic transformation.
- The ENID-Teach project in the virtual community "EPALE": impacting partnerships of cooperation or just sharing good practices?Publication . Morgado, Lina; Pinto, João; Afonso, Ana PaulaThis proposal looks at the relationship between the ENID-Teach project and the community platform for Adult Learning in Europe - EPALE. The project aims to train university academics in digital pedagogies, promote flexible teaching models and re-establish the ReCoIn-TaD cooperation network between university professors. The EPALE platform is a European Union initiative for adult education with the aim of promoting knowledge sharing and building a transnational community of educators. The aim of this presentation is to report about the strategy for using EPALE by the Portuguese ENID-Teach team, explaining the decisions made and sharing the experience gained. The results obtained are positive and its possible to conclude that EPALE, despite some limitations, is a valuable tool for european dissemination, collaboration and network building with some impacts in building partnerships of cooperation. It is a platform for sharing and cooperation for those who have links to the field of adult education, and is an asset to the university environment.
- Escala de Usos da Internet: validação da versão portuguesaPublication . Aires, Luísa; Almeida, Leandro; Instituto de Educação, Universidade do MinhoA evolução tecnológica e a crescente pressão social para o uso da Internet têm evidenciado desigualdades no seu uso, tanto nas condições de acesso, como das competência de uso e usufruto. Estas desigualdades impactam na vida das pessoas, em particular na sua formação e atividade profissional. O conceito de fosso digital tem evoluído, passando do acesso básico às tecnologias digitais (1º nível) para as competências de uso destas tecnologias (2º nível) e, mais recentemente, para os resultados tangíveis do uso da internet (3º nível) (Scheerder et al., 2017). No presente estudo foi aplicada e validada uma escala de Usos da Internet. A Escala de Usos da Internet adaptada ao contexto português mostrou-se robusta e adequada para avaliação dos padrões de uso entre os estudantes universitários.
- Flexible learning by design: enhancing faculty digital competence and engagement through the FLeD projectPublication . Afonso, Ana Paula; Morgado, Lina; Noguera, Ingrid; Sepúlveda-Parrini, Paloma; Hernandez-Leo, Davinia; Alkhasawneh, Shata N.; Spilker, Maria João; Carvalho, Isabel Cristina; ShivanandBased on flipped learning, digital competence, and inclusive instructional design, this study employs a mixed-method approach (quantitative and qualitative) to evaluate the pilot and involves academics from six European universities. Teacher participants co-designed and implemented flexible learning scenarios using the FLeD tool, which integrates pedagogical patterns, scaffolding strategies, and playful features. Using a mixed-methods research approach, this study collected and analyzed data from 34 teachers and indirectly over 800 students. Results revealed enhanced student engagement, self-regulated learning, and pedagogical innovation. While educators reported increased awareness of inclusive teaching and benefited from collaborative design, challenges related to tool usability, time constraints, and the implementation of inclusivity also emerged. The findings support the effectiveness of structured digital tools in promoting pedagogical transformation in online, face-to-face, and hybrid learning. This study contributes to the discussion on the digitalization of higher education by illustrating how research-informed design can enable educators to develop engaging and flexible inclusive learning environments in line with the evolving needs of learners and the opportunities presented by technology.
- Formação de professores em zonas desfavorecidas: estão preparados para cuidar de crianças em situações de exclusão social?Publication . Serrano García, Jennifer; Aires, LuísaO poster apresenta dados de uma investigação em curso que pretende avaliar os conhecimentos e a experiência dos professores situados nos territórios ERACIS sobre o acolhimento de crianças em risco de exclusão social. São apresentados e discutidos os dados resultantes da aplicação de um questionário a professores, na Andaluzia, Espanha.
- A learning design to promote changes in teacher´s digital assessment practicesPublication . Pereira, Alda; Oliveira, IsolinaIn this article, we present the design of an ongoing training course for teachers in non-tertiary education with the aim of promoting a change in their assessment practices towards digital assessment of competences from a sustainable assessment perspective. Using a qualitative approach, we analysed the interactions that took place in the different virtual forums, as well as the reports produced at the end by the participants. Our aim was to find out what the main challenges were for these teachers, while at the same time trying to understand which dimensions of the training process enabled the teachers involved to design and implement strategies for assessing competences using technology. We found that the participants' main difficulties were in changing the focus of the assessment, going beyond the mere assessment of knowledge, as well as in constructing appropriate rubrics for the assessment of competences. Important aspects of the training programme were i) the dimension of collaboration between peers, ii) flexibility in terms of the technologies to be used, considering different digital literacy profiles and iii) the creation and application of pedagogical strategies by the teachers during the training.
- Location-based games as tools for leisure in a military communityPublication . Jenkinsa, Anabela Pimentel da Silva; Aires, LuísaDigital media increasingly affect how people interact with their surroundings, leading to rising levels of indoor screen time. This study examines how locative media technologies can enhance meaningful leisure and learning experiences in outdoor settings. Our goal is to understand the role of location-based games in improving outdoor leisure by implementing a geolocation program within a military community at an Armed Forces base. Therefore, we conducted a qualitative case study based on the principles of the design-based research (DBR) method. By developing, implementing, and using a location-based game prototype, we increased contact with nature and found that locative play encourages learning in outdoor leisure contexts. We also found that the digital locative game promoted a sense of social belonging and positively impacted intergenerational activities, highlighting the immense potential of locative media and ubiquitous learning in outdoor leisure experiences and the creation of new educational opportunities.
- The Nano MOOC Experience of higher education teachers: the case of active and gamified coursePublication . Afonso, Ana Paula; Morgado, Lina; Mendes, António QuintasThe NOOC Active and Gamified Learning, developed by Universidade Aberta (Portugal) within the European ENID-Teach project [1], aims to strengthen faculty competencies in active learning and gamification. This study assesses participants' satisfaction regarding the NOOC’s structure, content, methodology, technology, and overall learning experience. This presentation reports preliminary findings from feedback from Portuguese-speaking participants, primarily higher education teachers, gathered through interviews. Descriptive statistical analysis identified satisfaction trends and areas for future improvement. Results show high satisfaction levels: 90% rated the structure and content as “Excellent.” Didactic resources, content coherence, and instructor performance received similarly positive evaluations.
- Projeto de semestralização do ano escolar no município de S. João da Madeira: perspetivas de professoresPublication . Machado, Eusébio André; Abelha, Marta; Seabra, Filipa; Correia, Luís GrossoA semestralização do calendário escolar foi implementada a título experimental no âmbito de Planos de Inovação/Ação, formalizados através de contratos entre as escolas e o Ministério da Educação (ME), através da Direção-Geral da Educação (DGE), conforme estabelecido na Portaria n.º 181/2019, de 11 de junho. Cinquenta e cinco escolas ou agrupamentos participaram na fase piloto, cuja avaliação, conduzida por uma equipa da Universidade de Lisboa em 2020 (Costa, Almeida & Viana, 2020), apontou várias vantagens, embora sem a considerar uma solução inevitável. Em 2020/2021, o Município de S. João da Madeira aderiu à semestralização nos seus três agrupamentos de escolas e solicitou, a peritos externos, a monitorização deste processo. O projeto teve origem na necessidade de responder a um conjunto de dificuldades que afetavam o ensino e a aprendizagem, tais como: i) o desequilíbrio no número de dias entre períodos letivos; ii) a burocratização do sistema de ensino; iii) o elevado número de reuniões de avaliação sumativa, que priorizam a avaliação das aprendizagens em detrimento da avaliação para as aprendizagens; e iv) o foco excessivo dos Encarregados de Educação na avaliação quantitativa dos alunos, em vez da qualidade das suas aprendizagens. Era, assim, fundamental encontrar soluções para mitigar esses constrangimentos. Nesta comunicação, apresentamos os resultados de inquéritos realizados em 2021 junto dos professores do município, que identificam os aspetos mais e menos bem-sucedidos na implementação da semestralização. Foram recolhidos dados sobre a partiipação dos professores no processo, bem como sobre os impactos na avaliação das aprendizagens, nas dinâmicas do trabalho pedagógico e no sucesso escolar. As perspe]vas dos professores revelam-se, em geral, favoráveis à semestralização, embora e a título de exemplo, parte significativa dos professores discorda ter havido desburocratização com o projeto de semestralização.