Education research that accommodates different views is needed because the educators’ knowledge is not limited to scientific knowledge but includes knowledge generated through science that educators incorporate through their own modes of production. This research group, led by professors Débora Pereira Laurino and Sheyla Costa Rodrigues, is premised on the philosophy that education is to think of the environment as the mind, body or institution; is to be and recognize yourself in the other; is to act for social good. It is about communities, the collective and cooperative work. Thus, the initiatives of this group are developed in partnership with schools, communities and groups of teachers interested in developing methodologies that use information, technology and communication to democratize opportunities to build knowledge.
The objectives of the research performed in this group are to investigate and produce knowledge about educational digital ecology through teacher training; to integrate digital technologies and methodologies into educational environments; to understand the complexity of the relationships established among teacher collectives; to define and test indicators of the construction of structures for inhabiting virtual learning environments (VLE) supported by cognitive digital ecology; to design ways to use distance learning to act in an ecosystem permeated by processes of conscious and peaceful cooperation and coexistence.
To achieve these goals, the group works in elementary schools, using information and communication technologies, learning projects, educational robotics and concrete materials; contributes to the training of teachers in science environmental education; plans and develops digital activities for use in initial training and continuing education; plans and delivers courses for teachers and tutors; and delivers distance education.
The theoretical framework for the group’s research is informed by concepts such as the biology of cognition (Maturana and Varela), cognition as embedded action (Varela), genetic epistemology (Piaget), the technology of intelligence and collective intelligence (Levy), teaching knowledge (Tardif) and ecosophy (Guatari).
The group’s lines of research include virtual learning environments, environmental education, science education, educational technology in the learning process, teacher training, deployment of technologies for education and interconnective and interactive methodologies.