How are schools in Finland and Denmark rethinking learning environments to better prepare students for the future?

In this episode, we are joined by Sampo Forsström, educational developer at the University of Eastern Finland, and Martin Thun Klausen, pedagogical IT consultant at University College Copenhagen. Both are national ambassadors for the Future Classroom Lab (FCL), a model that promotes innovation in education across Europe.

Together, they discuss how the FCL approach is being implemented in their countries, from teacher training and educational technologies to the design of flexible, interactive learning spaces. The conversation also explores the importance of national strategies, local autonomy, and teacher engagement in scaling change. As they reflect on successes and challenges, we get a glimpse into what it takes to build future-ready schools in practice.

In this episode of the European SchoolNet Podcast, we explore how emerging technologies, especially AI-powered social robots, are transforming education and fostering inclusive learning environments. Joined by Eirini Simeonidou, author of the latest Perspective Paper on Inclusive Digital Education, we discuss the role of social robots in supporting students with special needs, how AI tools help teachers adapt learning for students with dyslexia, ADHD, and other learning disabilities, the digital divide and ways to ensure technology benefits all students, as well as the ethical and privacy concerns surrounding AI in education. We also dive into key policy recommendations to create more inclusive digital classrooms.

Want to learn more? Download the full Perspective Paper: "Inclusive Digital Education – The Role of Social Robots" on the European SchoolNet website: http://www.eun.org/resources/detail?publicationID=2701. 🎧 Listen & Subscribe for more insights on the future of education!

Playful learning is not a new idea. However, it has been on the rise in the recent years, perhaps as one counterbalance to the increasing performativity brought about by digitalisation and datafication in schools. Welcome to today's episode, where Vibeke Schrøder and Niels-Peder Osmundsen Hjøllund, both lecturers and senior consultants at the University College Copenhagen, joined us.University College Copenhagen is one the partners of the EU funded project AgileEDU. A project looking at current practices and challenges in using educational data across Europe and building a knowledge base through a literature review, a set of Learning Stories and case studies that are all reviewed and validated through expert workshops and Dialogue Labs. The resource pack will be made publicly available will also be run as a massive open online course (MOOC) on the European Schoolnet Academy platform (https://www.europeanschoolnetacademy.eu/) in spring 2025. One of the case studies (http://agile-edu.eun.org/case-studies) of this project offers an in-depth explanation of playful learning and data use in education, including its obstacles, enablers and decisions affecting these phenomena. Semi-structured interviews, focus groups and desk research have been conducted to gather data for the development of this and other case studies to be published soon in 2025.Agile EDU is a project coordinated by European Schoolnet and with partners from the University College Copenhagen (Denmark), University of Oslo (Norway), Portuguese Ministry of Education (Portugal), Foundation Empieza por Educar (Spain), and the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (Sweden); with the French and Slovenian Ministries of Education are associated partners.Find more about the Agile EDU project: http://agile-edu.eun.org/home Discover our Perspective Paper on Playful Learning in the Age of Datafication and Digitalisation: https://kont.ly/perspective-paper13 *Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

Education in the Age of AI explores how Artificial Intelligence is reshaping teaching and learning. Featuring guests Charles Fadel and Olli-Pekka Heinonen, this episode unpacks key shifts in education—from curriculum updates to fostering critical skills like metacognition and empathy. Learn how to balance AI’s transformative potential with its ethical challenges, prepare students for an AI-driven world, and support teachers in embracing this powerful tool. Join us for a thought-provoking conversation on the future of education.

Learn more from Charles Fadel's book, Education for the Age of AI.

European Schoolnet’s podcast series explores the forefront of educational policy, innovation, and technology across Europe. Each episode brings together experts to discuss significant events, publications, and policy changes that shape the educational landscape.

In this episode, we’re joined by Neil Attard and Rose Anne Camilleri from Malta’s Ministry for Education to discuss Malta’s Digital Education Strategy 2024–2030. They share insights on bridging the digital divide, empowering teachers, integrating digital skills into all subjects, and prioritising online safety. Listen in to see how Malta’s strategy is setting new standards for digital readiness and inclusive education across Europe.

In this episode, Christina Makarona introduces key themes around trust and evidence in EdTech, with a focus on the EmpowerED project's roadmap. Moderated by Beth Havinga, the discussion highlights a significant trust gap between decision-makers and EdTech solutions. Andreas Klausing from Educa Swiss stresses the challenges in decentralised education systems, while Niko Lindholm from Helsinki Education Hub underscores the importance of collaboration to bridge the trust gap.

Explore the latest episode of the European Schoolnet podcast, where we examine Big Tech's role in online safety and gender-based violence. This fifth episode features an in-depth discussion with Cindy Southworth, Head of Women's Safety at Meta, who reveals the platform's initiatives, including advanced hashing technologies and proactive AI systems. Discover how these measures align with the menABLE project's efforts to promote gender dialogue among youth. For a comprehensive understanding of these crucial issues and how they are addressed, listen to the full episode and read the detailed article on our website.

Join the European Schoolnet podcast as we

Welcome to the third episode of the European Schoolnet podcast series, in collaboration with the menABLE project, dedicatedto combating online gender-based violence. In this episode, we explore the critical intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and its role in addressing gender-based violence. AI stands as one of the most transformative technologies of our time, yet it brings significant ethical concerns, including data privacy, biases, and its potential to worsen existing societal inequalities.

Inna from the Digital Citizenship Department at European Schoolnet is joined by Silvia Semenzin, an international activist and postdoctoral researcher specialising in technology-facilitated gender-based violence, as they navigate these complex issues.

Step into the forefront of educational innovation with our latest episode, "Upscaling Innovation across European Schools." A journey through Portugal, Spain, and Flanders (Belgium) to discover innovative approaches to modernising education. Join us as we engage with our Future Classroom Lab ambassadors, exploring the important role of innovation in shaping the future of learning. From developing digital skills to fostering inclusive, equitable environments, each country offers unique insights into their innovation journey.