Collaborative Research Activity

The coordinating body of Innokas Network, the Faculty of Educational Science at the University of Helsinki, conducts educational research in the network in collaboration with the regional coordinators, schools and partners. Our research is focused on the learning and teaching of 21st century skills, on the Innovative School model that provides key enablers for learning and on network activity in the Innokas Network. We collaborate on research activity with other universities such as Stanford University, with other educational institutions and with various companies. Our research methodology is predominantly based on Design Research, where the researchers work in close collaboration with teachers, students and school partners in order to identify school challenges and to develop innovative solutions to address the challenges. Research activity is integrated as a part of the daily school activity, supporting practical school development at the local school site.

Research Projects

Digierko

The Learning and Teaching in Digital Environments training is a long-term form of training for classroom and subject teachers. It provides skills for professional development and specialization for teachers who have already been working. The training focuses on the latest teaching and learning practices and development models based on research and development information, as well as digital applications, learning environments and materials. Read more here.

National Digierko

The project develops a digital learning and teaching network that supports the development of digital expertise and knowledge sharing among teachers. The activities are based on the DigiErko training provided by the Universities of Turku, Helsinki and Eastern Finland, and the networking of expert teachers working in them. The project’s activities can be viewed on its website.

Innokas Network AI-projects

In the AI- projects of the Innokas Network, methods and materials are developed and researched to support children and young people in their digital skills from the perspective of artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence is examined in the projects as a phenomenon, a subject of learning, and a tool for learning. Read more here.

Earlier Research Projects

Growing Mind

Innokas Network was a partner in the Growing Mind research project funded by the Academy of Finland. This project, active in 2018-2022 aimed to develop 21st century school activity and to study it in the framework of the digitalization of the society. The Growing Mind project studied the wide landscape of 21st century learning and the holistic development of the school.

Innoplay

The aim of the InnoPlay project (2018–2021) was to develop pedagogical methods that integrated learning areas in crafts, environmental education, technology education and mathematical skills through play, research and expression. Learning arising from the interests of the child was promoted as a multidisciplinary STEAM-themed technology learning entity. The project was coordinated by the Department of Teacher Education of the University of Turku and involved the University of Helsinki’s craft teacher education and the Innokas network, as well as the University of Tampere’s early childhood education training. The project was funded by the Ministry of Education and Culture. Read more here.

AI in Learning

The Innokas network worked as a partner in the AI tutor for demanding expertise work package of the AI in Learning project, funded by Business Finland. The work package examined the use of AI technology for expert training in virtual reality (VR). The aim is to enable the development of training technology based on immersive VR self-study and products built on it. The study was carried out in the AIVR, or IIVARI, laboratory built at the University of Helsinki, where the participants were acquainted with VR learning in intelligent immersive training solutions implemented by Upknowledge. Read more on the project’s website.

Uutta luova asiantuntijuus (ULA) – Innovative Expertise

Innokas Network is a partner in this development project for teacher training, funded by the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture. The project is active in 2017-2019 and aims to develop new structures and content to link both new teacher and in-service teacher training in new ways that emphasize participant expertise and engagement. Read more here.

Finnable

In 2012-2015 Innokas Network was responsible for the implementation of the Innovative School subproject in the Finnable project, founded by Tekes. The subproject studied the school and its surrounding community as a complex of network of learning environments. New practices utilizing technology were developed for the Innovative School, including new ways to use digital technology to support the students of today and tomorrow. A special focus was on the versatile use of technology to support personalized learning and home and school collaboration. Read more about the Finnable project here.

Go4Lab

Innokas Network was a partner in the Co4Lab research project funded by the Academy of Finland. The goal of the project was to develop 21st century school activity and to study the activity in the context of the digitalization of the society. The main focus of project activity in 2015-2019 was on the Innovation Education approach, its practical implementation and its various dimensions of impact.

Microbit Research

In 2017-2018 Innokas Network, in collaboration with the Micro:bit Foundation, conducts research on the teaching and learning of programming and robotics using Micro:bit.

Publications

Teachers’ perceived opportunity to contribute to school culture transformation

Reinius, H., Hakkarainen, K., Juuti, K., & Korhonen, T.
Journal of Educational Change
2023
DOI: 10.1007/s10833-023-09496-4

Exploring Finnish fifth-grade pupils’ academic peer assistance networks

Niskala, E., Sormunen, K., Palonen, T., Korhonen, T., & Hakkarainen, K.
Journal of Educational Research
2023
DOI: 10.1080/00313831.2023.2262505

Preparing students for the future: multidisciplinary perspectives on pedagogical activities and their spatial embeddedness

Sarkio, K., Korhonen, T., & Hakkarainen, K.
Education Inquiry
2023
DOI: 10.1080/20004508.2023.2291934

Tracing teachers’ perceptions of entanglement of digitally-mediated educational activities and learning environments: a practice-oriented method

Sarkio, K., Korhonen, T. & Hakkarainen, K.
Learning Environments Research
2023
DOI: 10.1007/s10984-022-09442-w

Primary school students’ experiences of immersive virtual reality use in the classroom

Laine, J., Korhonen, T., Hakkarainen, K.
Cogent Education
2023
DOI: 10.1080/2331186x.2023.2196896

Training Hard Skills in Virtual Reality: Developing a Theoretical Framework for AI-based Immersive Learning

Korhonen, T., Lindqvist, T., Laine, J. & Hakkarainen, K.
Springer
2022
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-09687-7_12

Invention Pedagogy – The Finnish Approach to Maker Education

Korhonen, T., Kangas, K. & Salo, L. (ed.)
Routledge
2022
ISBN 9781032251974

Teachers as transformative agents in changing school culture

Reinius, H., Kaukinen, I., Korhonen, T., Juuti, K. & Hakkarainen, K.
Teaching and Teacher Education
2022
DOI: 10.1016/j.tate.2022.103888

Systematic Review of Intelligent Tutoring Systems for Hard Skills Training in Virtual Reality Environments

Laine, J., Lindqvist, T., Korhonen, T. & Hakkarainen, K.
International journal of technology in education and science
2022
DOI: 10.46328/ijtes.348

Learning Analytics for Knowledge Creation and Inventing in K-12: A Systematic Review

Apiola, M., Lipponen, S., Seitamaa, A., Korhonen, T. & Hakkarainen, K.
Springer
2022
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-10467-1_15

Joining networked society: integrating Academic Service-Learning into formal school

Tiippana, N. M., Korhonen, T. & Hakkarainen, K.
Pedagogy, Culture and Society
2022
DOI: 10.1080/14681366.2022.2055117

Finnish Teachers as Adopters of Educational Innovation: Perceptions of Programming as a New Part of the Curriculum

Korhonen, T., Salo, L., Laakso, N. L., Seitamaa, A., Sormunen, K., Kukkonen, M. & Maanonen, H.
Computer Science Education
2022
DOI: 10.1080/08993408.2022.2095595

From a teachers’ digital leap to continuous professional development – Policy brief ( in Finnish)

Korhonen, T., Reinius, H., Tiippana, N. Lavonen, J., Hakkarainen, K.
Academy of Finland, The Strategic Research Council (SRC)
2021
Policy brief: From a teachers' digital leap to continuous professional development (pdf)

Children’s right to learn innovative technology – Policy brief (in Finnish)

Sormunen, K., Kangas, K. & al.
Academy of Finland, The Strategic Research Council (SRC)
2021
Policy brief: Children's right to learn innovative technology

Digitisation or Digitalisation: Diverse Practices of the Distance Education Period in Finland

Korhonen, T., Juurola, L., Salo, L., Airaksinen, J.
Center for Educational Policy Studies Journal (CEPS)
2021
DOI: 10.26529/cepsj.1125

Teaching, Learning and Assessing Computational Thinking through Programming with Scratch in Primary Schools

Fagerlund, J.
University of Jyväskylä, dissertations
2021
ISBN 978-951-39-8882-1

Developing students’ digital competences through collaborative game design

Laakso, N., Korhonen, T., Hakkarainen, K.
Computers & Education, Elsevier Ltd.
2021
DOI: 10.1016/j.compedu.2021.104308

Computational thinking in programming with Scratch in primary schools: A systematic review

Janne Fagerlund, Päivi Häkkinen, Mikko Vesisenaho, Jouni Viiri
Computer Applications in Engineering Education
2020
https://doi.org/10.1002/cae.22255

Sociodigital participation in and out of the school context. Students’ experiences 2019.

Korhonen, T., Tiippana, N., Laakso, N., Meriläinen, M. & Hakkarainen K.
University of Helsinki, Faculty of Educational Sciences, Growing Mind research project
2020
ISBN 978-951-51-5018-9

Creative expertise (in Finnish)

Martin, A. & al. (ed.)
University of Jyväskylä, Creative expertise project
2020
ISBN: 978-951-39-8084-9

The Pedagogics of Inventions (in Finnish)

Tiina Korhonen ja Kaiju Kangas (ed.)
PS-kustannus
2020
ISBN 978-952-451-992-2

From inclusive practices to personal strategies: Teachers and students designing together digitally supported science learning

Sormunen, K.
University of Helsinki
2020
ISBN 978-951-51-6061-4

Maker-Centered Project-Based Learning in Inclusive Classes: Supporting Students’ Active Participation with Teacher-Directed Reflective Discussions

Kati Sormunen, Kalle Juuti, Jari Lavonen
International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education
2019
ISSN 1571-0068

Overcoming Learning Difficulties with Smartphones in an Inclusive Primary Science Class

Kati Sormunen, Jari Lavonen, Kalle Juuti
Journal of Education and Learning
2019
ISSN 1927-5250

Overcoming Learning Difficulties with Smartphones in an Inclusive Primary Science Class

Sormunen K., Juuti K., & Lavonen J.
Journal of Education and Learning
2019
ISSN 1927-5250

Augmented/Virtual Reality in Nordic/Baltic Education, Learning and Training

Trondsen, E.
2019
Nordic-Baltic-XR-Edu-Report_3-2019.pdf

Exploring the contribution of students with learning difficulties in an inclusive co-invention project

Sormunen, K., Hakkarainen, K., Riikonen, S., Seitamaa-Hakkarainen, P., Juuti, K., Lavonen, J. & Korhonen, T.
KBSI2018
2018
tuhat.helsinki.fi

Idea Generation and the Shared Epistemic Object of Knowledge in an Artifact-Mediated Co-Invention Project

Riikonen, S., Seitamaa-Hakkarainen, P. & Hakkarainen, K.
KBSI2018
2018
Idea-generation-and-the-shared-epistemic-object_final_final.pdf

Innovating Professional Development in Compulsory Education

Vuorikari, Riina
Joint Research Centre (JRC)
2018
ISBN 978-92-79-77298-6

Description of collaborative strategies to meet the challenges of Finnish education

Jari Matti Juhani Lavonen, Tiina Susanna Korhonen, Klinge Orlando Villalba-Condori
Referencia Pedagógica
2018
ISSN 2308-3042

Development of the ROBBO Pedagogical Material – Design Based Research Approach (Project report Fall 2015 – Spring 2016)

Sormunen, K., Korhonen, T. & Lavonen, J.
2017
Robbo Project Report

Towards 21st Century Education: Success Factors, Challenges, and the Renewal of Finnish Education

Lavonen, J. & Korhonen, T.
Springer
2017
ISBN 978-981-10-1673-8

A New Wave of Learning in Finland: Get Started with Innovation!

Korhonen, T. & Lavonen, J.
Springer
2017
ISBN 978-981-10-1673-8

Digital Partnership between Home and School (in Finnish)

Korhonen, T.
Helsingin yliopisto
2017
ISBN 978-951-51-3256-7

”Somehow it feels for more natural to me”: Supporting Three Special Needs Students Using Smart Phones in Inclusion-oriented Natural Science Teaching (in Finnish)

Sormunen, K., Lavonen, J. & Juuti, K.
Suomen Kasvatustieteellinen seura
2017
ISBN 978-952-5401-78-3

The Innokas Network (in Finnish)

Kukkonen, M. & Korhonen, T.
Espoon kaupunki
2017
Innokas-verkosto teoksessa Julkisesti Luova

The Innovative School and Future Teachership (in Finnish)

Korhonen, T., Lavonen, J., Kukkonen, M., Sormunen, K. & Juuti, K.
PS-kustannus
2016
ISBN 978-952-451-705-8

The Innovative School as an Environment for the Design of Educational Innovations

Lavonen, J., Korhonen, T., Kukkonen, M., Sormunen K. & Juuti,K.
Springer
2014
ISBN 978-94-6209-749-0

Crossing School-family Boundaries Through the Use of Technology

Korhonen, T. & Lavonen, J.
Hansaprint
2014
ISBN 978-952-10-9879-6

A Case Study on School, Kindergarten, Library and Senior Home Partnership

Kukkonen, M. & Lavonen, J.
Hansaprint
2014
ISBN 978-952-10-9879-6

The Innovative School (in Finnish)

Lavonen, J., Korhonen, T., Kukkonen, M. & Sormunen, K.
PS-kustannus
2014
ISBN 978-952-451-618-1

School, Kindergarten, Public Library and Nursing Home within the Local Village Network (in Finnish)

Kukkonen, M. & Lavonen, J.
PS-kustannus
2014
ISBN 978-952-451-618-1

Crossing Classroom Boundaries in Science Teaching and Learning through the Use of Smartphones

Sormunen, K., Lavonen, J. & Juuti, K.
Hansaprint
2014
ISBN 978-952-10-9879-6

“Can I do this on my Phone?”: Mobile Devices in Supporting the Personalized Teaching of Natural Sciences (in Finnish)

Sormunen, K. & Lavonen, J.
PS-kustannus
2014
ISBN 978-952-451-618-1

ICT in Supporting Home and School Partnership (in Finnish)

Korhonen, T. & Lavonen, J.
PS-kustannus
2014
ISBN 978-952-451-618-1

School Partnerships and Networks (in Finnish)

Korhonen, T., Sormunen, K., Kukkonen, M. & Lavonen, J.
Tampereen yliopisto
2013
ISBN 978-951-44-9202-0

ICT in Supporting Home and School Collaboration: Practical Implementation of Design Research in School (in Finnish)

Korhonen, T
PS-kustannus
2012
ISBN 978-952-451-580-1

Our Class’s Thing: ICT in Supporting Home and School Collaboration (in Finnish)

Korhonen, T. & Lavonen, J.
Jyväskylän yliopisto, Koulutuksen tutkimuslaitos
2011
ISBN 978-951-39-4198-7

Finnish teachers’ professionalism is built in teacher education and supported by school site

Lavonen, J., Korhonen, T. & Juuti, K.
Hungarian Educational Research Journal
2015
2015_3_2.pdf