Statement by Dr Sarah Fletcher, Senior Research Fellow Centre for Robotics and Assembly at the Cranfield University.
Every 24th of January, the United Nations commemorates the International Day of Education, a human right, public good and responsibility. Regarding digital education, in the European Union, we have an Action Plan established in 2021 – 2027 that sets out a shared vision of high-quality, inclusive, and accessible digital education.
At AI-PRISM, we contribute to education as a transformation that has changed society and can make our lives easier. For that, we are aligned with the initiative of the European Year of Skills 2023 that focuses on the green and digital transitions and how they are opening new opportunities for people and the EU economy. Therefore, we aim to empower people by developing an open-access network and training on technical and non-technical skills. All our materials and infrastructures ensure that everyone is included and integrated.
Today, to commemorate this international day and reinforce our commitment to this universal right, Dr Sarah Fletcher from academic partner the Cranfield University quotes Kurt Lewin’s “Learning is more effective when it is an active rather than a passive process” and reflects on the education and digital transformation:
Change is only effective if it is understood and accepted by those it affects. Therefore, the success of digital transformation relies on people/users gaining sufficient education and experience about the new system(s). To maximise the value of active learning, we are designing participatory learning and development activities for workers to broaden and embed their knowledge of the new digital and robotic systems and their awareness of how these systems will improve their work tasks. Moreover, these activities will enable participation in Action Research, where the workforce can experience and contribute ideas/feedback in the design process to optimise the transformation.
Dr Fletcher is an experienced senior researcher with a demonstrated history of securing funding and managing projects in the higher education industry. Skilled in designing and managing research projects and lecturing, particularly in Industrial and Organizational Psychology and Human Factors subjects, particularly related to human interactions with automation and robotics. Actively involved in UK and international standards for robotics, industrial safety, and ergonomics of human-system interaction.
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