Research Areas IFeL
Our research activities are centred around research and development of forward-thinking applications in e-learning. Explore our fields of research.
Institute for Research in Open, Distance and eLearning (IFeL)
The Institute for Research in Open, Distance and eLearning (IFeL) investigates the use of modern technologies in teaching and learning practice. We use a design-based research methodology, classical statistical approaches and methods from the fields of machine learning and artificial intelligence, focusing on the following research areas: personalised and adaptive learning, emotions in reading and learning, virtual reality (VR) educational approaches and learning analytics.
Our interdisciplinary research team consists of social, computer and data scientists and collaborates with national and international partners to bring the most recent research results into educational practice. Since 2016, the Institute holds the UNESCO Chair in Personalised and Adaptive Distance Education.
«Es ist nicht einfach, Barrieren beim technologiebasierten Lernen zu überwinden»
Prof. Dr. Christopher Awinia lehrt an der Open University of Tanzania (OUT) Soziologie,…
Die erste Dissertation an der FFHS
Christof Imhof hat seine Dissertation erfolgreich verteidigt – als erster Doktorand, der an der FFHS…
FFHS receives international «Higher Ed XR Innovation Grant»
As one of only eight higher education institutions from all over the world, the FFHS together with…
Dr Egon Werlen receives an extraordinary professorship at the NWU
On 1 September 2022, Dr Egon Werlen, head of the research field "Emotions, Reading and Learning" at…
Jahrestagung «DigiBasics» 2022 in Locarno
Die DigiBasics-Community mit Teilnehmenden aus verschiedenen Pädagogischen Hochschulen der Schweiz…
![[Translate to Englisch:]](/fileadmin/_processed_/b/f/csm_moocs-fuer-besseres-online-lernen_bf5ed1eafe.jpg "[Translate to Englisch:]")
MOOCs for improved online learning
The Institute for Distance Learning and eLearning Research (IFeL) investigates the use of modern…
UNESCO Chair on Personalised and Adaptive Distance Education
Since 2016, the Swiss Distance University of Applied Sciences (FFHS) holds the UNESCO Chair on Personalised and Adaptive Distance Education (UNESCO Chair PADE). The UNESCO Chair operates as an international networking platform for the research, development and implementation of innovative learning concepts in the area of personalised and adaptive distance education. It also serves as a bridge builder in the sharing of knowledge between the researchers and academic staff at the regional, national and global levels.
Projects
You will find an overview of our activities, research and service projects in this area.
Teaching, Training and Knowledge Transfer
The research institute IFeL develops MOOCs and prepares interesting workshops on self-regulating learning, technology-based learning and realistic expectations.
IFeL Laboratory for Technology-Based Learning (TBL Laboratory)
In our TBL laboratory, we primarily conduct experiments with virtual reality (VR) equipment and eye-tracking devices. We also work with psychophysiological measuring devices and specialised software for behavioural observation. The various laboratory rooms are equipped in such a way that we can flexibly rearrange them as needed for the respective experiments.
Network & Partnerships
The Institute for Research in Open, Distance and eLearning (IFeL) maintains a broad network with universities and private and public organisations.
Publications
Below you will find a selection of publications of the Institute for Research in Open, Distance and eLearning (IFeL).
Team
We would like to introduce you to our research team in the field of distance learning and eLearning research.