More and more the question posed to all members of the Media & Learning community is whether the media supported resources and learning opportunities that they create really make a difference when it comes to learning. What if there were more immersive elements? A stronger focus on story-telling? More involvement of students? More and better production techniques supported by AI? In an environment where dwindling resources are increasingly the norm, knowing how to make the very most of every opportunity to improve learning is, for all of us, a very real priority.
This is why the organisers of this year’s Media & Learning conference have opted for the tagline Educational media that works as we believe it points to the importance of making the best-informed choices that we can when it comes to choosing and using media. This year’s event, organised jointly with KU Leuven’s Learning Lab, will be jam-packed with opportunities to share and learn from colleagues. Taking place in the historic city of Leuven in Belgium on 18-19 June 2025, this event will bring together a vibrant community of educators, researchers, and innovators from different parts of Europe and beyond who are equally passionate about leveraging media in support of learning.
This conference is aimed at all staff working in centres for teaching and learning, educational media production centres, learning innovation departments, educational departments, audiovisual services as well as researchers and policy-makers keen to explore the added value of media in teaching and learning. At its heart is an exploration of the who, how, what, why and where of educational media production in higher as well as other associated educational sectors.
- Choosing the right format
This theme explores the strategic and practical selection of media formats to optimise learning outcomes in educational settings based on research and evidence. Formats under consideration include podcasts, virtual tours, linear video, screencasts, and interactive content. - Learning through storytelling
Exploring how learning design can use storytelling and draw from the engagement strategies of sectors like gaming, advertising, and entertainment to create compelling media experiences in education. - Media-driven assessment
Investigating the use of multimedia tools in assessment strategies, including ePortfolios, and the impact of media-based assignments. - Communicating research
This theme explores the potential of media, including video, interactive content, and digital storytelling, as alternatives to traditional written theses. It also examines how these media forms can enhance the communication and dissemination of scientific research, making complex findings more accessible and engaging for diverse audiences. - Accessibility, digital inclusion and media formats
Addressing diversity, equity, inclusion and wellbeing in media based learning, including the value of AI based solutions like automated captioning, text-to-speech, and adaptive learning platforms. This theme includes formats and approaches to combat digital fatigue. - DIY media production training
This theme is focused on sharing best practices and experience on empowering academics to create impactful high-quality educational content and integrate media into their teaching practices. - Digital heritage, storage and ownership
Investigating how digital archives and storage facilities handle and preserve educational audio-visual content as well as exploring the challenges in creating, managing, and storing media assets, such as 3D assets for XR environments. How do intellectual property and ownership issues affect these processes? What is the role of open educational media resources (OEMR)? - Students as partners in media production
Analysing how student co-production, co-creation, and active engagement can be integrated into media-based learning experiences and production processes. - Ethical and innovative integration of AI in educational media production processes
Considering the challenges and benefits of using AI in educational media, such as in creating and powering virtual instructors and avatars. How can AI enhance the quality and cost-effectiveness of media production? What impact does AI have on traditional teaching roles, and how can human creativity be balanced with AI capabilities? - Immersive Learning
Examining how extended reality (VR, AR, and MR) can create immersive learning environments that deepen student engagement, interaction, and/or practical skill development. - Enhancing hybrid learning with advanced lecture capture
This theme explores how hybrid classrooms can best blend in-person and online learning effectively. It will also explore the role of advanced lecture capture technologies in boosting engagement and accessibility for all students. How can we address the opt-in/opt-out debate and ensure a dynamic, inclusive learning environment? - Greening educational media technologies
Focusing on how to make audio-visual technologies more eco-friendly and sustainable, reducing their environmental impact while maintaining educational quality. - Management and operation of centres and service providers
This theme explores what organisational practices work best to support the sustainable educational media production needs of the institution in meeting its goals. It includes how best to set up and manage media production facilities and support learning spaces. - Exploring effective co-production and re-use practices
Investigating opportunities for co-production of open educational media resources (OEMR) amongst institutions. Is it possible to localise and reuse productions created outside of your institution?
