Kaleidoscope: EU Network of Excellence (Completed)

Kaleidoscope is a European network within technology-enhanced learning. The network was formerly financed as Network of Excellence by the EU (2004-2007). Professor Sten Ludvigsen was Scientific Manager of Kaleidoscope (2007-2009).

TeLearn is the first international Open Archive in Technology Enhanced Learning

Kaleidoscope Symposium 2007 Berlin, November 26-27: The Kaleidoscope network presented the outcomes of work undertaken over the last four years

Overview

Kaleidoscope is an EU Network of Excellence which brings together European teams in technology-enhanced learning, to develope concepts and methods for exploring the future of learning with digital technologies.

In the 21st century European knowledge-based economy, learning is mobile, social, and multicultural. Kaleidoscope's approach to technology-enhanced learning (TEL) places the learner at the centre of a multidisciplinary research perspective, with theoretical foundations in the cognitive and learning sciences as well as in computer science and technology design.

The network also has a strong practical orientation, aimed at increasing innovation and competitiveness, and generating new forms of cultural and learning experiences.

Kaleidoscope integrates European research units to develop new concepts and methods for exploring the theoretical and practical future of learning with digital technologies. There are more than 1,095 researchers in the Kaleidoscope Community, which includes 91 research units from 24 countries, plus Canada. The network cover a large range of expertise from technology to education, from academic to private research.

Aims

A strategy to drive the scientific field forwards through collaboration and convergence, through investigation and sharing of results;

Creation of Interdisciplinary teams from different countries, research backgrounds and fields;

Building technological and scientific platforms to support researchers by offering tools, services, resources and reference standards at a PhD level;

Developing an understanding of political and social issues important to the field within Europe and proactively creating and utilising communication channels between relevant stakeholders in education, industry (users of TEL products and services in businesses as well as businesses developing TEL products and services) to inform and advise;

Devising and implementing dissemination strategies to engage and lobby academic institutions, user and industry representatives and non-governmental bodies;

Examining models of sustainability in order for TEL to have a global impact.

Joint activities

ERTs: European Research Teams

SIGs: Special interests groups

JEIRPs: Jointly Executed Integrating Research Projects

VDS: Virtual Doctoral School

Kaleidoscope activities at InterMedia

• Sten Ludvigsen was Scientific Manager of Kaleidoscope
• Anders Morch participated in CSCL SIG
• Ole Smørdal and Jeremy Toussaint participated in CIEL ERT
• Palmyre Pierroux participated in Mobile Learning SIG and Mustel/Designing for Technology Enhanced Learning in Museums (Seed grant)
• Research staff and PhD students participated in the Kaleidoscope Virtual Doctoral School and InterMedia hosted courses at InterMedia
• PLICTe: Productive learning in ICT rich environments