Key pedagogical and technological factors for effective blended learning design

This summary describes a new design framework to support science education through blended learning, based on a participatory and interactive approach supported by ICTbased tools, called Science Learning Activities Model (SLAM). This design framework is important as a response to complex changes in society and education (e.g. high turnover rate of knowledge, changing labour market), which require a more creative response of learners to the world problems that surround them. The framework is concerned with the assumption that science-learning activities should be applicable and relevant to contemporary life and transferable to ‘real-world’ situations. The design framework proposes three design dimensions: context, technology and pedagogy, and aims at integrating learning in formal and informal contexts through blended learning scenarios by using today’s flexible, interactive and immersive technologies (e.g. mobile, augmented reality, virtual reality). EMPOWER expert pools: Institutional Support, Curriculum development & Course design