The Center for Applied Research and Innovation in Lifelong Learning conducts research and teaching to develop agile, systematic, and efficient learning and teaching designs in field of lifelong learning in education and training at levels five to eight in the European Qualifications Framework. The promotion of lifelong learning is understood as a necessity to meet collective societal and economic challenges.
As the digital transformation fundamentally changes work and organizational processes, innovative, technology-supported learning and teaching designs and a lifelong learning culture are considered critical success factors. The center sees its task as linking formal, non-formal and informal learning to promote innovation and competitiveness, but also to ensure for people to participate in society. This requires innovative didactic concepts that take these different types of learning into account accordingly.
Here, the focus is on the design of learner-centered learning experiences ("Learning Experience Design") on three corresponding levels, which are designed to promote individual and lifelong development of competencies in the best possible way:
- Macro level: Organizational development, political and legal framework
- Meso level: Curriculum and educational program development
- Micro level: Development of courses, modules or individual course units or workshops
The Center’s fields of research and development
In concrete terms, this results in the following research and development fields in which the Center for Applied Research and Innovation in Lifelong Learning specializes:
- Corporate learning and organizational development
- Regional learning, citizen participation and regional development
- University didactics and university development
The Center’s competencies in research and development
The comprehensive competencies of the center in research and development lie in the following areas:
Learner-centered learning experience design ("Learning Experience Design").
- Instructional design: Framing learning outcomes and constructive alignment
- Media: Informed choice of digital media for the learning process
- Digital and Hybrid Learning Environments: Development of learner-centered digital and hybrid learning environments based on didactic designs
- Learning and teaching strategies: Different context-related strategies are applied, such as working-out-loud, social learning, persona-based learning program development, pedagogical design patterns and pattern languages, etc.
Methods for linking informal, non-formal, and formal learning
- Validation of informal and non-formal learning
- Learning and teaching strategies: Work-Based Learning, Knowledge Transfer through Living Labs, Co-Learning Spaces & Cross Border Innovation Hub
Science communication
- Social media and media production: Working-out-loud in science, target group-oriented, dialogue-oriented communication of scientific findings by using social media, media production (podcasting, blogging, explainer videos, infographics)
- Publication of research results
- Events: Planning and implementation of conference contributions, workshops, meetings, and conferences
Quality assurance and development of learning and teaching processes
International and interdisciplinary collaborations
The Center for Applied Research and Innovation in Lifelong Learning relies on interdisciplinary and international cooperation to further advance the research field. In doing so, the Center maintains collaborations with various universities and organizations, e.g.:
- University of Chester (Work Based Learning and Accreditation of Experiential Learning)
- University of Bath (Research Methodologies)
- Bar Ilan University (Smart City, Community Engagement & Regional Development)
If you are interested in collaborating with the Center for Applied Research and Innovation in Lifelong Learning, please contact Stephanie Nestawal, Head of the Center.