Research

Researchers in the Innokas Network work as part of the network’s diverse research, development, and education projects. The research focuses on phenomena related to digitalized learning, teaching, and interaction within these projects, as well as innovations ranging from early childhood education to basic education, secondary education, higher education, and working life. The research group utilizes a wide range of both qualitative and quantitative methods in their work. 

The activities of the research group are based on a research-practice partnership between educational field practitioners and researchers. This partnership enables dialogue based on collaboration between practitioners and researchers, a mutually supportive approach to co-developing the phenomenon under research and development, and an effective way to disseminate research findings and research-based best practices to Finnish educational institutions and other environments. 

The knowledge produced by the Innokas Network’s research group is intended for a broad audience of educational stakeholders: learners, teachers, principals, education planners, and decision-makers, as well as to support the development of teacher education. In addition to project reports, we publish international and national research articles, doctoral dissertations, books, and recommendations. Read more about the network’s publications below. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.