Jochen Kuhn, LMU Munich, Faculty of Physics, LMUexcellent Chair of Physics Education Research
The rapid evolution of digital technologies has significantly influenced science education by enabling technology-enhanced inquiry learning. But it’s not the technology itself which should determine transition of education. It should be the possibilities which should be embedded and reflected by well-known learning theories – also considering the limits and risks, such as fairness, accuracy and reliability of generative AI. The talk reflects the progression of these aspects with special focus on early smartphone-based experiments followed by the integration of eXtended Reality (XR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in science education. Starting with very concrete examples in context of smartphone-based inquiry learning, the talk discusses the increasing role of XR (esp. Augmented Reality (AR), but also Virtual Reality (VR)) in creating immersive learning experiences and making invisible phenomena, processes and relations visible. In the second part of the talk, AI-enhanced learning environments will be discussed by reflecting both their possibilities and their limits and risks in the context of science education. The talk should encourage a discussion for a roadmap for future digital transitions inscience education, emphasizing the need for evidence-based practices to maximize
learning outcomes. By understanding past experiences, educators and policymakers can make informed decisions on integrating emerging technologies to enhance inquiry- based, interactive, and personalized science learning experiences for future generations.