Beyond Traditional Learning: ICONS’ Journey to GESS Dubai 2024 Award
In the dynamic landscape of educational technology, recognizing innovative solutions that genuinely support teachers and students is crucial. In this article, we explore one such solution—Learnetic’s award-winning Interactive Charts Of Natural Science (ICONS) – a package that exemplifies how interactive, accessible, and immersive digital content can enhance STEM education by making complex scientific principles more understandable and engaging for today’s classroom.
Digital-First Generation Challenges
Today’s educators face unprecedented challenges: students with increasingly shorter attention spans, a digital-first mindset, and expectations for immediate engagement and feedback. These shifts in learning behaviors demand new approaches to teaching, particularly in STEM subjects where complex concepts require sustained focus and understanding. Interactive digital content has become not just an enhancement but a necessity in meeting these evolving students’ needs.
A good example of interactive educational product created to support schools during digital transformation is Learnetic’s ICONS which has recently won Secondary Best Resource Award at the GESS Dubai Awards 2024.
“The first versions of Interactive Charts of Natural Science were developed during the pandemic, and we were aware of the critical importance of providing schools with remote, effective STEM learning materials. The success of ICONS back then has been a huge motivation for us to constantly develop this product.”
Karolina Grochola
Head of Digital Content Production
Learnetic’s multidisciplinary team — from Subject Matter Experts and Instructional Designers to Project Managers — embarked on a comprehensive design challenge: to develop an innovative educational approach that would captivate students in grades 5-8 while providing in-depth explanations of complex scientific concepts.
“Our challenge was to integrate diverse experts’ perspectives into a cohesive and intuitive learning experience. We aimed to create a product that was both clear and comprehensive,
but without overwhelming a student.”
Karolina Grochola
Head of Digital Content Production
The goal was to transform abstract and potentially challenging topics — such as chemical reactions, molecular structures, physical phenomena, and global geographical processes — into engaging, accessible learning experiences that not only inform but truly inspire student curiosity.
The Power of Interactivity
Abstract ideas in science can be difficult to grasp through traditional teaching methods alone, potentially leading to disengagement or misconceptions. Interactive exercises and digital tools have emerged as powerful allies, offering innovative ways to bridge the gap between complex theories and concrete understanding. The supportive nature of interactivity in STEM education has been confirmed in UNESCO’s 2023 Global Education Monitoring Report:
“Varied interaction and visual representation can enhance student engagement. A meta-analysis of 43 studies published from 2008 to 2019 found that digital games improved cognitive
and behavioural outcomes in mathematics.”
The research further highlights that
“augmented reality and virtual simulations have advanced
the teaching of technical and scientific subjects”
offering more effective learning experiences compared to other digital methods.
The collaborative efforts of Learnetic’s Team Experts resulted in digital materials that truly engage secondary students.
“Creating high-quality digital content for chemistry education posed unique challenges. We had to produce many resources in-house, such as videos presenting laboratory experiments or 3D models. We also leveraged our authoring tool to maximize interactivity and simulations, rather than relying on stock photos or illustrations.”
Małgorzata Prucnal
Subject Matter Expert – chemistry
“We pair theoretical models with actual micro and macro photography techniques, helping students connect abstract biology concepts with reality. Many of our video resources, including nature observations, are custom-made to ensure educational quality. We moved away from standard text-based presentations by creating interactive content, transforming traditional biology from pure memorization into an engaging learning experience.”
Joanna Zawadka
Subject Matter Expert – biology
The Value of ICONS
ICONS makes science education engaging through an interactive digital experience that covers over 300 topics from Geography, Physics, Biology, and Chemistry for grades 5-8. This digital educational content package features over 1,030 interactive screens that bring complex scientific concepts to life through:
• Dynamic simulations that allow hands-on experimentation
• Stunning 3D graphics that illuminate abstract concepts
• Augmented reality for truly immersive learning
An important strength of ICONS is also its WCAG 2.2 compliance, ensuring that students with disabilities can access and navigate through materials without barriers. This includes features such as screen reader support and dark mode.
The European Accessibility Act (EAA), which takes effect in 2025, requires all digital content distributed within the EU to comply with WCAG 2.2 level AA standards.
Last, but not least, ICONS supports both traditional classroom settings and remote learning environments, offering teachers a flexible approach. The ability to switch between these modes becomes particularly valuable in today’s hybrid learning landscape.
The Significance of GESS Dubai Awards
The GESS Awards, held annually in Dubai, celebrate the most impactful resources and services, setting the highest standards of excellence in the education industry. Best Resource for Secondary Education Award, which ICONS have won, specifically recognizes solutions that provide practical support for secondary education, highlighting products that meet the evolving needs of teachers and students.
Discover More About ICONS
By prioritizing student-centered design, pedagogical effectiveness, and accessibility, ICONS demonstrates how innovative technology can genuinely support teachers and students in the evolving digital learning landscape.
We invite educators and institutions to explore how ICONS can enrich the teaching process, bridging technological innovation with pedagogical depth. For further details, please contact our experts team.
You can experience ICONS firsthand – access our sample resources to discover award-winning interactive materials.
We invite you to schedule a free consultation with our digital accessibility experts to learn how to integrate essential accessibility features effectively in your digital educational interactive content.
You may also take advantage of the unique opportunity to have your eContent reviewed by Learnetic’s experts before the WCAG 2.2 compliance deadline. We have only 5 spots left in 2024! Book your slot today!
