A major e-learning project to renovate science leaning environment in Taiwan

This article summarizes a major e-Learning project recently funded by the National Science Council of Taiwan and envisions some of the future research directions in this area. This project intends to initiate the 'Center for excellence in e-Learning Sciences (CeeLS): i⁴ future learning environment' at the National Taiwan Normal University. In collaboration with multiple leading institutes and universities involved in the areas of science education, computer science and computer engineering from around the world, NTNU proposes to develop an innovative science learning environment which integrates various modern technologies such as image processing, speech processing, automatic video processing, speech recognition, mobile technologies, machine translation, natural language processing, data mining and machine learning. Our aim is to create an intelligent classroom embedded with individualized and interactive learning materials and assessment tools. To realize the aforementioned goals, the CeeLS endeavors to bring together a group of experts in the area of science education, cognitive science, computer science, and computer engineering. We will propose three closely interrelated research directions conducted by three major projects: (1) Project Classroom 2.0, to establish this envisioned future classroom; (2) Project Mobile 2.0, to enhance the interactions among teacher, students, and student peers, and (3) Project Testing 2.0, to pioneer new technologies on assessment and to assist the CeeLS to carry out program evaluations for the project. Four major changes (in both cognitive and affective domains including students' domain knowledge, higher-order thinking ability and attitudes and motivation in the subject matters) will be investigated and evaluated under the innovative learning environment. The investigations will include: (1) Teachers' Teaching Approaches (TTA), (2) Students' Learning Strategies (SLS), (3) Student-Teacher Interactions (STI), and (4) Student Science Learning Outcomes (SLO).