Plenary Lecture

Game-Based Learning in Higher Education and Lifelong Learning: Bridging the Gap Between Theory and Practice

Professor Andreja Istenič Starčič
University of Ljubljana
Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering
Jamova 2
Ljubljana 1000
SLOVENIA
Website: http://www2.fgg.uni-lj.si/


University of Primorska
Faculty of Education
Cankarjeva 5
Koper 6000
SLOVENIA
Website: http://pef.upr.si/

Email: andreja.istenic-starcic@fgg.uni-lj.si

Abstract: Game-based learning virtual environments are tailored for diversified university and lifelong student groups preparing them to enter national, European and global environments. They foster collaboration at various levels between university and industry providing knowledge and innovation exchange. In learning processes support collaboration among teachers/educators and learners at the international level. Representing a real life phenomenon – complex and dynamic systems in which the variables for manipulation illustrate variables in real life situations. Learners are offered to learn in an authentic environment of imitating concrete activities which they will face in their professional life. Learning about complex phenomena and systems is more meaningful in collaboration because knowledge is distributed among learners and the cognition is socially shared. Currently there are many initiatives at European and global level aiming at agreements for arranging new learning environments which will offer learning linking theory and practice, university and industry. Paper provide framework for new solutions at institutional level facing challenges of game-based learning in virtual environments.

Brief Biography of the Speaker:
Andreja Istenič Starčič holds a B. Sc. in sociology of culture (1998) and Ph.D. in education (2002) University of Ljubljana, Slovenia. She received habilitation for assistant professor in didactics and educational technology and habilitation for research in management. Her research interests include social impacts of information and communication technology, information communication systems for professional development, knowledge management, educational technology, computer supported collaborative learning, web based communities, game-based learning, sustainable development.

She has been acting as a member of research groups:
• Research in education (2000-2002), University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Arts and Humanities;
• Management and informatisation of education and employability (2004-2004), University of Primorska, Faculty of Management;
• E-construction engineering (2006-), University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Civil and Geodetic engineering, Institute of construction, earthquake engineering and computing.

She has been developing educational technologies for all levels of education and adult education since 1993. She is devoted to teacher education and professional development and had developed the first e-learning courses for university teachers and adult educators in Slovenia. Present research projects are: Intensive e-learning introduction for rising educational level and suppress regional discordance in Slovenia, I3CON – Industrialised, Integrated, Intelligent Construction, Virtual International Business Management Learning Environment for Hospitality and Destination management.

Dr. Istenič Starčič has published several referred journal and conference papers, workbooks and monographs. Her publication also including invited state-of-the-art chapters in international scientific monographs. She is in editorial board of international journal IJET http://online-journals.org/i-jet/about. Dr. Starčič is a convenor in The European Educational Research Association EERA Didactic section http://www.eera.ac.uk/web/eng/all/home/index.html

She was giving courses at Belfast Queens University Northern Ireland, Luleå University of technology Sweden, and University of Turku Finland.