Potential of Learning Labs to Improve the use of Digital Geomedia in Education. The Use Case iDEAS: Lab Discussed using the Example of the ESDplus Project

Abstract

Digital geomedia and thus, the use of digital, spatial tools such as, online-maps and satellite images, are playing an increasing role in all educational areas and contexts. This refers, first, to their use in all types of (school) subjects to improve learning efficiency (e.g., related to the Spatially Enabled Learning concept) and, second, to building digital and geomedia skills, among learners (e.g., required by the Basic Digital Education approach and the Spatial Citizenship concept). This is highlighted by the growing importance of geomedia skills for our private and professional lives, which are closely linked to digital geomedia skills and STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). To develop geomedia skills in young people and the public, we need not only appropriate teaching and learning approaches and methods, but also well-trained educators. However, this demand is not yet sufficiently considered. Here, learning laboratories (learning labs), i.e., those with a focus on the use of geomedia, as innovative spaces that support non-formal learning and promote new teaching methods, play a crucial role in closing this gap. This is highlighted by the increasing number of such facilities located, among others, at universities. While learning labs can contribute to promoting the use of digital geomedia, it is still unclear how exactly they can contribute to educators using digital geomedia more effectively in educational activities. This question is answered using the example of the ESDplus project. Based on the use of methods such as an online survey and transdisciplinary workshops, the project ESDplus aims to understand the situation and demands of educators involved in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in terms of using digital geomedia. The results not only helped create user-centered teaching and training materials to support educators using digital geomedia in ESD but also allow us to discuss how learning labs can meet the identified ESD educators’ demands. This is done by the case of the iDEAS:lab, the learning lab of the Department of Geoinformatics-Z_GIS, University of Salzburg (Austria) focusing on the different objectives around education in terms of teaching and as well as educational research. The results highlight the relevance of learning labs, to improve the use of digital geomedia in education. This is because of its flexible and open setting to combine analog methods and digital geomedia, the provision of learning activities for young people and training initiatives for (future) educators, and the building of communities of people interested in using digital geomedia in education. This also includes research activities around education and capacity building.