The “International Centre for Higher Education Innovation under the auspices of UNESCO Higher Education Digitalisation Pioneer Case Award” (hereinafter referred to as the Pioneer Award) is an award established by the International Centre for Higher Education Innovation under the auspices of UNESCO (hereinafter referred to as UNESCO-ICHEI) to encourage and commend IIOE partner institutions in the world active exploration, innovation and practice in the field of digitalization of higher education. The award sets up a specific theme every three years, and rewards teams and individuals who have made outstanding contributions to further promoting digital transformation, improving the quality of higher education teaching, and achieving sustainable development, and supports their exploration in promoting higher education innovation.
The theme of this year’s Pioneer Award is “The Reform and Innovation of Blended Learning in Higher Education”, which aims to discover teams and individuals who are using information technology, blended learning and other means to promote the improvement of higher education teaching quality and efficiency.
UNESCO-ICHEI Higher Education Digitalisation Pioneer Case Award
The UNESCO-ICHEI Higher Education Digitalisation Pioneer Case Award highlights the transformative DeepClaw project led by Assistant Professor Chaoyang Song at the Southern University of Science and Technology. This innovative initiative addresses the critical need for accessible robotics education in developing countries like China. It underlines the crucial role of digital learning in bridging the gap by providing inclusive, cost-effective, and globally collaborative education opportunities. The project’s objectives include developing a low-cost, portable system that combines tactile sensing and machine learning with soft robotics, aiming to democratize robotics education and foster innovation.
The teaching design in the ME336 Collaborative Robot Learning course incorporates the DeepClaw system, offering clear, measurable learning objectives and a multifaceted learning journey. Blended teaching methods enrich the student experience by providing open-sourced resources, online access to the DeepClaw Toolkit, state-of-the-art simulation environments, and various digital technologies. The digital transformation has yielded remarkable learning outcomes, with students excelling in project presentations and publications and winning awards while contributing to the evolution of the DeepClaw Toolkit. Theme-based integrated projects have further enriched the learning experience, promoting research and innovation.
The DeepClaw project stands out for its innovative design, bridging the gap between simulation and real-world robotics applications. Its simplicity, affordability, and emphasis on tactile sensing and portability make it a unique and valuable teaching tool. The project’s impact extends beyond national boundaries, offering digital resources accessible to students and researchers worldwide. Professor Chaoyang Song’s leadership and commitment to digital education are evident in the project’s ongoing development and its potential to revolutionize how students engage with robotics, fostering inclusivity, innovation, and research.
Please refer to the DeepClaw Project Webpage for further information.
https://deepclaw.ancorasir.com/
