Structural dimensions of a digital learning ecosystem for research skills in secondary education.
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| Title: | Structural dimensions of a digital learning ecosystem for research skills in secondary education. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Henao-Zárate, Clara Rocío1 clara-rocio.henao@uib.cat |
| Source: | Contemporary Educational Technology. Jul2026, Vol. 18 Issue 3, p1-25. 25p. |
| Subject Terms: | *Research skills, *Secondary education, *Problem-based learning, *Learning analytics, *Artificial intelligence, *Inquiry-based learning, *Project method in teaching, *Virtual classrooms |
| Abstract: | Despite widespread digital access in secondary education, students continue to demonstrate limited capacity for systematic inquiry, critical source evaluation, and evidence-based reasoning--a paradox that existing virtual learning environments have failed to resolve. This article presents the structural dimensions of a conceptual digital learning ecosystem (DLE) designed to strengthen research skills in secondary education, based on a scoping review of 34 studies published between 2019 and 2025. The findings indicate that inquiry-oriented approaches--particularly project-based learning, problem-based learning, and inquiry-based learning--are the most widely adopted strategies; however, their effectiveness depends on their alignment with structured inquiry processes rather than on the mere presence of digital tools. The reviewed studies also emphasize the role of technological infrastructures, collaborative platforms, learning analytics, and artificial intelligence in supporting school-based research. The proposed DLE model represents a shift from content-centered instruction to structured inquiry environments, enabling students to formulate questions, evaluate evidence, design investigations, and communicate findings. The model integrates human, pedagogical, technological, and support components aligned with five key research phases, contributing to the development of autonomy, critical thinking, and inquiry-oriented learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Contemporary Educational Technology is the property of Bastas Publications and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Education Research Complete |
| FullText | Links: – Type: pdflink Text: Availability: 0 |
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| Header | DbId: ehh DbLabel: Education Research Complete An: 196420829 AccessLevel: 6 PubType: Academic Journal PubTypeId: academicJournal PreciseRelevancyScore: 0 |
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| Items | – Name: Title Label: Title Group: Ti Data: Structural dimensions of a digital learning ecosystem for research skills in secondary education. – Name: Author Label: Authors Group: Au Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Henao-Zárate%2C+Clara+Rocío%22">Henao-Zárate, Clara Rocío</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo><i> clara-rocio.henao@uib.cat</i> – Name: TitleSource Label: Source Group: Src Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Contemporary+Educational+Technology%22">Contemporary Educational Technology</searchLink>. Jul2026, Vol. 18 Issue 3, p1-25. 25p. – Name: Subject Label: Subject Terms Group: Su Data: *<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Research+skills%22">Research skills</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Secondary+education%22">Secondary education</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Problem-based+learning%22">Problem-based learning</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Learning+analytics%22">Learning analytics</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Artificial+intelligence%22">Artificial intelligence</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Inquiry-based+learning%22">Inquiry-based learning</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Project+method+in+teaching%22">Project method in teaching</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Virtual+classrooms%22">Virtual classrooms</searchLink> – Name: Abstract Label: Abstract Group: Ab Data: Despite widespread digital access in secondary education, students continue to demonstrate limited capacity for systematic inquiry, critical source evaluation, and evidence-based reasoning--a paradox that existing virtual learning environments have failed to resolve. This article presents the structural dimensions of a conceptual digital learning ecosystem (DLE) designed to strengthen research skills in secondary education, based on a scoping review of 34 studies published between 2019 and 2025. The findings indicate that inquiry-oriented approaches--particularly project-based learning, problem-based learning, and inquiry-based learning--are the most widely adopted strategies; however, their effectiveness depends on their alignment with structured inquiry processes rather than on the mere presence of digital tools. The reviewed studies also emphasize the role of technological infrastructures, collaborative platforms, learning analytics, and artificial intelligence in supporting school-based research. The proposed DLE model represents a shift from content-centered instruction to structured inquiry environments, enabling students to formulate questions, evaluate evidence, design investigations, and communicate findings. The model integrates human, pedagogical, technological, and support components aligned with five key research phases, contributing to the development of autonomy, critical thinking, and inquiry-oriented learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] – Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright Label: Group: Ab Data: <i>Copyright of Contemporary Educational Technology is the property of Bastas Publications and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) |
| PLink | https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=ehh&AN=196420829 |
| RecordInfo | BibRecord: BibEntity: Identifiers: – Type: doi Value: 10.30935/cedtech/18726 Languages: – Code: eng Text: English PhysicalDescription: Pagination: PageCount: 25 StartPage: 1 Subjects: – SubjectFull: Research skills Type: general – SubjectFull: Secondary education Type: general – SubjectFull: Problem-based learning Type: general – SubjectFull: Learning analytics Type: general – SubjectFull: Artificial intelligence Type: general – SubjectFull: Inquiry-based learning Type: general – SubjectFull: Project method in teaching Type: general – SubjectFull: Virtual classrooms Type: general Titles: – TitleFull: Structural dimensions of a digital learning ecosystem for research skills in secondary education. Type: main BibRelationships: HasContributorRelationships: – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Henao-Zárate, Clara Rocío IsPartOfRelationships: – BibEntity: Dates: – D: 01 M: 07 Text: Jul2026 Type: published Y: 2026 Identifiers: – Type: issn-print Value: 1309517X Numbering: – Type: volume Value: 18 – Type: issue Value: 3 Titles: – TitleFull: Contemporary Educational Technology Type: main |
| ResultId | 1 |
