Assisting or creating the future?

Abstract

The goals, methodology and results of the EducaDi Project (Distance Learning in Mathematics and Science) are discussed. This project was supported by the CNPq, the Research National Council in Brazil. The purpose of this project was to develop new models for the educational virtual networks. The project assumed that the introduction and use of digital technologies must be supported by structural, operational and cultural changes in the schools. It required understanding the learning process and the cognitive, moral and social development of the learners. New roles and practices were designed to change communications and interactions among teachers, students and knowledge. The methodology used was a new interdisciplinary approach to learning projects. Key success factors were the ability to cooperate in groups and to create new forms of information search and data organization as well as the flexibility to acquire the skills required for new jobs, including research skills needed for the production process. © 2001 by Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.