Promoting Meaningful Science Teaching and Learning Through ICT in the Finnish LUMA Ecosystem

Information and communication technology (ICT) has been successfully used to
promote children’s, youths’ and teachers’ competence in mathematics, science and technology
in Finland through the LUMA Centre Finland. The LUMA ecosystem (LU stands for
science and MA for mathematics) is a social innovation based on collaboration between
11 universities (including researchers and teacher trainers), educational administrations, the
business sector, teachers, teacher associations, science museums and centers, families and
the media. It is a Finnish model of how to promote LUMA learning, teaching and teacher
training. One particular focus of the LUMA collaboration is to support the incorporation
of information communication technology (ICT) into classroom practice, especially by
supporting pre‐ and in‐service teachers in building their technological pedagogical content
knowledge (TPCK). This paper reviews some of the earlier research and development conducted
by the LUMA Centre Finland on the incorporation of ICT into teacher training and
non‐formal science education. As an example, this paper summarizes the research done on
molecular modeling, the microcomputer‐based laboratory (MBL) in chemistry education
and its’ implications for teacher education, and virtual learning environments in science
education. This paper also discusses how design‐based research has been used as a successful
research method to connect theory and practice and to develop pedagogical ICT innovations
in science education. Some going-on research topics (e.g. MOOCs) are also presented.