Recording of the AEIP webinar “Student-Centered Digital Pedagogies” (26 May 2026).

Facilitated by the Association of African Universities (AAU).

Overview

Part of the “Emerging Trends in Digital Education” series, this webinar explores how student-centred digital pedagogies can support active participation, collaboration and deeper understanding. It focuses on PhET Interactive Simulations as a practical tool for inquiry-based teaching and learning in STEM education.

The session examines the shift from teacher-led instruction towards learning experiences in which students investigate concepts, test predictions and discuss their findings. Through demonstrations involving electric circuits and capacitors, it illustrates how simulations can make abstract concepts visible and create opportunities for guided experimentation.

The webinar also considers the conditions needed for effective implementation, including clear learning objectives, inclusive design, teacher development and access to infrastructure. With particular attention to African and European contexts, it explores how offline resources, multilingual tools and collaboration can help educators adapt digital learning to different classroom needs.

What You Will Learn

The webinar covers:

• Student-centred digital pedagogy: designing learning experiences that encourage students to participate, investigate and take an active role in developing their understanding.
• The teacher’s role as facilitator: guiding inquiry, supporting discussion and providing feedback while giving learners space to explore and solve problems.
• PhET Interactive Simulations: exploring how interactive STEM resources can help students visualise concepts, manipulate variables and observe the consequences of their decisions.
• Inquiry-based learning: using simulations to encourage questions, predictions, experimentation and explanations grounded in observation.
• Whole-class inquiry: structuring shared investigations in which students contribute ideas, interpret results and develop explanations together.
• Interactive lecture demonstrations: combining simulations with prediction sheets and discussion to make demonstrations participatory.
• Concept questions and formative assessment: checking understanding, identifying misconceptions and using student responses to guide further teaching.
• Learning design and scaffolding: aligning simulations with course objectives and providing questions and activities that support purposeful exploration.
• The 5E instructional model: organising activities around Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate and Evaluate to connect investigation with conceptual understanding.
• Inclusive and accessible implementation: considering offline access, multilingual resources and supporting worksheets when adapting activities to different learning environments.
• Teacher professional development: building confidence through training, peer support and communities of practice that share teaching resources and experiences.
• Responsible AI use: guiding students to use AI constructively while preserving independent thinking, meaningful learning and academic integrity.

Key Takeaway

Student-centred digital education depends on how learning activities are designed and facilitated. Interactive tools such as PhET can support exploration and discussion when educators connect them to clear objectives, thoughtful questions and opportunities for reflection.

Starting with one relevant simulation and a structured classroom activity offers a practical route to adoption. With professional development, accessible resources and institutional support, educators can expand these approaches to create more engaging and inclusive STEM learning experiences.