MeTAH - Models and Technologies for Enhanced-Learning Systems

The overall objective of MeTAH is to understand foundations and develop techniques for the design, development, and use of Technology Enhanced-Learning (TEL) systems. We consider TEL as a proper scientific area and not only as an application domain of computer-science or education, with its own objectives and research issues.
 
MeTAH aimes at understanding how to take into account the required educational (didactics, pedagogy) and usage dimensions when considering the design of TEL artifacts (e.g., computationally represented learning-scenarios), TEL systems (e.g., microworlds, intelligent tutors or collaborative environments) or TEL system specific features (e.g., diagnosis or feedback). We address the issues by building on, articulating, meshing and/or developing methods and techniques brought from the computer-science and education disciplines. MeTAH has a strong design and implementation orientation with an experimentation-based engineering approach. In-line with its didactic competences, it has a strong inclination towards studying issues related to teaching.
 
The main scientific themes addressed by MeTAH are:

• Didactic analyses and modelling of domain knowledge, i.e., understanding the TEL characteristics of the knowledge to teach/learn and of other important factors (e.g., institutional aspects).
• Learning scenarios, inquiry-based learning settings (design, supervision).
• Orchestration (design, supervision).
• Diagnosis, supervision, and feedback in different types of TEL settings, e.g., Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITSs), inquiry settings, or scenario-based settings.

MeTAH has developed four transversal structuring collective projects that link most of the team research actions and promote synergies between its members:

• Development of a theoretical framework (T4TEL) that supports identification, modelling, and implementation of knowledge in Technology Enhanced Learning applications.
• Development of a technological platform (UnderTracks, for Production and Analyse of Human Interaction Logs in Education) and participation in the laboratory project on trace analysis (Sakura, for Production and Analysis of GeoSpatial and Temporal Data, formerly Panteda).
• Design and evaluation of TEL systems for active learning in experimental sciences (LabBook, Copex-Chimie, TitrAB).
• Orchestration of tablet-based teaching settings.