RCUK Cross-cultural Computer-supported Collaborative Learning for Student Capacity Building in Multifaceted Competencies through Astronomy Online Labs

这个跨学科项目“通过天文学在线实验室进行跨文化计算机支持的协作学习，培养学生多方面能力”（C3AOL）的总体目标是支持年轻人的能力建设，培养他们的大数据分析技能和21世纪的关键能力——沟通、协作、创造力、以及批判性思维——通过他们参与跨文化计算机支持的协作学习（CSCL）活动，这些活动是由天文学的技术和教学上健全的在线实验室实现的。该目标将通过涉及来自英国和马来西亚的不同利益相关者的三个阶段的科学活动来实现，包括天文学专家、技术增强学习（TEL）专家、大学生、学术人员、学校教师和学生以及科学中心工作人员。作为一门涉及科学、技术和文化的多方面学科——这三个核心领域的成熟度和丰富性决定了一个国家的发展状况——天文学是一种独特而强大的手段，可以吸引和激励各个年龄段的人，他们被宇宙的无限和天体事件的鲜明视觉吸引力所吸引。对于青少年晚期的学习者来说，探索天文学对于他们未来在STEM领域的职业生涯具有特别重要的意义，因为他们可以获得新的能力：-对电子，光学和IT领域的先进发展有很好的理解；-具备运用科学方法处理和分析大数据的知识和技能；作为该项目的主要成果，参与的学生将获得这些能力，这些能力不仅可以在天文学中部署，更重要的是，还可以转移到其他学科，如其他STEM，管理，金融和经济，为国家的发展和繁荣做出贡献。C3AOL项目的四个目标如下：使两国天文学专家能够交流大数据分析和技术开发方面的知识和实践经验，确定研究合作的具体重点，并与TEL专家合作，加强STEM学生教育的方法；2 .通过与天文学专家和选定的天文在线实验室（AOL）的互动，激发和激发学生对大数据处理知识和技能的深刻理解；3 .提高学生在本地和跨文化背景下与同伴沟通和合作的可转移能力；支持学生创造优质的新aol，并透过外展活动推广，巩固他们的知识、创意及STEM大使的身分；总的来说，该项目的任务是促进马来西亚天文学的国家研究和教学计划。目前，马来西亚只有少数几所大学提供天文学课程。该项目旨在通过我们对马来西亚不同学术机构的研究访问，促进马来西亚天文学学位课程的发展，分享在英国开展天文学和其他STEM学位课程的相关实践经验。事实上，英国，特别是莱斯特，在天文学领域拥有国际公认的领先专业知识，如大数据处理和分析，如建立的空间研究中心和新成立的莱斯特空间与地球观测研究所。英国已经展示了天文学在从小学到高等教育的STEM教育项目中的成功应用。通过这个项目将天文学知识和技能从英国转移到马来西亚，将对使年轻人能够创造高科技经济产生强烈影响。

OverviewThe overall goal of this interdisciplinary project "Cross-Cultural Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning for Student Capacity Building in Multifaceted Competences through Astronomy Online Labs" (C3AOL) is to support capacity building of young adults for their Big Data analysis skills and key 21st century competences - communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking - through their participation in cross-cultural computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL) activities enabled by technologically and pedagogically sound online laboratories in Astronomy. The goal will be achieved through three phases of scientific activities involving different stakeholders from the UK and Malaysia, including Astronomy experts, technology-enhanced learning (TEL) experts, university students, academic staff, school teachers and pupils, and science centre staff. As a multifaceted discipline addressing science, technology and culture - the three core areas whose maturity and richness defining the development status of a nation - Astronomy is a unique and powerful means to engage and inspire people of all ages, who are fascinated by the infinity of the Universe and stark visual appeal of celestial events. For learners at their late teen identifying a pathway to their future careers in STEM, exploring Astronomy is of particular relevance as they can be equipped with new competences: - a good understanding of advanced developments in electronics, optics and IT; - knowledge and skills in applying sound scientific methods for Big Data handling and analysis; - ability to collaborate with international teams and to communicate complex results in accessible ways to general audience, especially school childrenAs the main outcome of this project, the participating students will acquire these competences, which are not only deployable in Astronomy, but, more important, also transferable to different disciplines such as other STEM, management, finance and economics, contributing to growth and prosperity of their country. Four objectives of the project C3AOL are as follows:1. To enable Astronomy experts from both countries to exchange knowledge and practical experience in Big Data analysis and technology development, identifying specific foci for research collaboration and, in collaboration with TEL experts, enhancing approaches to educating students in STEM;2. To inspire and enthuse students, through interacting with Astronomy experts and selected Astronomy Online Labs (AOL), to gain a deep understanding of knowledge and skills for handling Big Data;3. To enhance students' transferable competences in communicating and collaborating with peers in local and cross-cultural contexts;4. To support students to create new quality AOLs and disseminate them through outreach activities, consolidating their knowledge, creativity, and identity of STEM ambassadors;Overall, the mission of the project is to promote national research and teaching programmes in Astronomy in Malaysia. Currently, there are only a handful of universities in Malaysia offering astronomy courses. This project aims to stimulate the growth of astronomy degree programmes in Malaysia through our research visits in different academic institutions in Malaysia, sharing the related practical experiences in running astronomy and other STEM degree programmes in the UK. Indeed, the UK in general and Leicester in particular has internationally recognised leading expertise in Astronomy in areas such as Big Data handling and analysis, as exemplified by the established Space Research Centre and newly launched Leicester Institute of Space and Earth Observation. The UK has demonstrated the successful use of Astronomy in STEM education programmes from primary to tertiary level. The transfer of Astronomy knowledge and skills from the UK to Malaysia via this project will have strong impact on enabling young adults to create a high-technology economy.