Project ‚Breakthrough in Educational Research‘ (No. 10-044-P-0001) (EDU project) „A Model of Technology-based Self-directed Learning in High School for Educational Policymaking“ (No. P-EDU-23-5)
Project No. 10-044-P-0001
Project title: „Breakthrough in Educational Research“
Project duration: from 2025-04-01 to 2028-04-03
Project value: 15 231 660,52 Eur
Project coordinator: Research Council of Lithuania
Project partners: Vilnius University, Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas University of Technology, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Mykolas Romeris University, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Klaipėda University.
Project aim – to strengthen educational research and enhance its quality and international cooperation by participating in international education and training initiatives.
Project partner – Mykolas Romeris University – will conduct this educational research as part of the project, which will contribute to the improvement of education and teacher training:
Research title: „A Model of Technology-based Self-directed Learning in High School for Educational Policymaking“
Number: P-EDU-23-5
Duration: from 2025-04-01 to 2028-04-03
Budget: 441 795,91 Eur
Project manager in Mykolas Romeris University: Prof. Dr. Giedrė Valūnaitė Oleškevičienė
Project team:
- Giedrė Valūnaitė Oleškevičienė, professor at the Institute of Humanities;
- Guilhermina Maria Lobato Ferreira de Miranda, professor at the Institute of Education, University of Lisbon;
- Birutė Mockevičienė, director of the Institute of Management and Political Science;
- Miglė Parachnevičienė, doctoral student of Education Science at Mykolas Romeris University and teacher at Žirmūnai Gymnasium;
- Vilija Gerasimovičienė, doctoral student of Education Science at Mykolas Romeris University and teacher at Vilnius Nursery-Kindergarten „Pušaitė“;
Research aim: to investigate the main factors of autonomous learning in online digital environments, integrating them into a model intended for educational policy development.
Research Objectives:
- To examine the effectiveness of technology-based autonomous learning in online digital environments by creating conditions for learners to engage in technology-based autonomous learning.
- To identify the key elements (factors) of technology-based autonomous learning and develop a technology-based autonomous learning (hereinafter TBAL) model.
- To provide practical recommendations for educational policy development related to promoting learning activities in technology-based autonomous learning online environments, using the TBAL model.
Research Implementation
Modern individuals must continuously and deliberately engage in lifelong learning, acquiring new competencies and improving existing ones. The project’s idea is to develop a technology-based autonomous learning (TBAL) model suitable for educational policy development. It is important that the model not only helps create the necessary learning environment for the learner but also takes into account the key educational factors essential for autonomous learning, such as the formulation of learning goals and the final outcomes of such learning.
After examining the challenges and opportunities of using the TBAL model for learning, practical recommendations will be prepared for stakeholders on how to apply the TBAL model in learning processes. The project’s scientific research will be comprehensively presented in a scientific monograph, reflecting the full theoretical framework, empirical research, and recommendations of the project.
To ensure practical application of the results, a seminar will be developed and delivered for educators, focusing on practical recommendations related to promoting learner activities in technology-based autonomous learning within online digital environments. A roundtable discussion with interested parties will be organized to discuss the TBAL model and outline guidelines for its further application, modification, and research aimed at improving the processes.
Planned Results and Impact:
The anticipated progress of the research will cover three areas:
a. Based on existing autonomous learning models, a unique autonomous learning model adapted to the Lithuanian context – the TBAL model – will be developed.
b. The specificity of autonomous learning at a particular educational level will be highlighted.
c. Practical recommendations for educational policy development will be provided.
This scientific research is relevant both in terms of academic development and practical application, as it focuses on the exploration and investigation of innovative learning resources. The practical value of the research lies in the fact that this study on the application of new learning resources will make an important contribution to learning theory, practice, and educational policy formation.
The project will have a positive impact on attitudes toward technology-based autonomous learning and will bring significant changes to the professional growth of the project participants themselves. All participants will notice improvements in their digital literacy skills. Researchers, teachers, the administrative team, and all involved individuals will enrich their understanding of technology-driven learning in online digital environments with new insights and tools. The benefits of the project will be felt not only by the direct participants but also by those who do not participate in the project, as they will later benefit from the modernized teaching and learning methods.
This project is implemented as part of the Ministry of Education, Science, and Sports’ Education Development Program under the progress measure No. 12-003-03-06-01 „Firstly – the teacher.” It is funded by the European Union funds for the 2021–2027 period and the budget of the Republic of Lithuania.