Cyber-physical learning proposed by Tec de Monterrey and SUTD

Singapore University of Technology and Design and Tec de Monterrey have signed a collaborative research agreement.

By Lorena Morales | CONECTA NATIONAL NEWS DESK - 11/02/2022 Photo Shutterstock, Eric Ramírez, COURTESY OF SUTD

This partnership between Tec de Monterrey and Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) aims to design spaces for cyber-physical learning and evaluating its potential within education.

The Tec will strengthen its ties with SUTD through the Institute for the Future of Education, exchanging practices and conducting experiments involving students and instructors at both universities.

This union will enable the evaluation of educational aspects such as the design of technology-enabled learning experiences, translational pedagogical innovation, learning analytics, and personalized learning.

“Collaboration is the key to move ahead with resolving today’s educational challenges and designing the future of education,” said Juan Pablo Murra, Rector for Higher Education at the Tec, who participated in the signing of the agreement with SUTD via holographic projection.

Grateful to participate in the National Technology Enhanced Learning Conference in Singapore, leveraging @TecdeMonterrey's hologram effect technology. We signed a 3-year collaboration agreement between @sutdsg and Tec for research and innovation in cyber-physical learning...(1/3) pic.twitter.com/ualH7QcwrX
— Juan Pablo Murra Lascurain (@jpmurra) October 31, 2022

For Professor Phoon Kok Kwang, Provost of the Singapore University of Technology and Design, both the Tec and SUTD share a common vision of cyber-physical learning.

“We have similar interests and a shared understanding of the opportunities for applying human-centric technology and design to pedagogical practice,” he said.

Cyber-physical learning

Cyber-physical learning refers to a form of learning that involves students and instructors/teachers who are present in one classroom or laboratory at an educational institution, together with other students or teachers participating virtually from remote locations off-campus.

This learning path requires the development of new teaching methods to facilitate interactions and ensure a meaningful educational experience for both in-person and virtual students.

The challenges for in-person and virtual students that come with this type of educational innovation are assimilating learning, establishing authentic connections, and engaging effectively.

Clases inmersivas con realidad virtual en el Tec de Monterrey — Cyber-physical learning involves the interaction of in-person students who are in the classroom with distance-learning students.

The Tec-SUTD collaboration for the next 3 years

At the in-person signing of the agreement at SUTD on October 27, it was reported that the research activities set out in the agreement are scheduled to start in the first quarter of 2023.

This collaborative research partnership forms part of the SUTD campusX initiative, which aims to address student and faculty needs and experiences through data analysis and learning sciences.

“Conducting experiments together that test innovative educational models which transcend borders will be key to developing effective cyber-physical learning environments,” emphasized Michael Fung, Executive Director of the Tec’s Institute for the Future of Education.

“This collaborative project with the SUTD campusX initiative will increase learning opportunities for worldwide higher education audiences, capitalizing on the cultural exchange between Singaporean and Mexican students and faculty, and developing best practices with an international perspective,” he said.