Technology-Enhanced Learning
Encyclopedia
Technology enhanced learning (or TEL) refers to the support of any learning activity through technology.
TEL is often used synonymously with E-Learning
even though there are significant differences. The main difference between the two expressions is that TEL focuses on the technological support of any pedagogical approach that utilizes technology. However this is rarely presented as including print technology or the developments around libraries, books and journals in the centuries before computers.
A learning activity can be described in terms of the
Learning activities can follow different pedagogical approaches and didactic concepts.The main focus in TEL is on the interplay between these activities and respective technologies. This can range from enabling access to and authoring of a learning resource to elaborate software systems managing (e.g. learning management
system, learning content management system
s, learning repositories, adaptive learning hypermedia systems, etc.) and managing (human resource management
systems; tools for self-directed learning
, etc.) the learning process of learners with technical means.
About the definition
The existing definitions for technology enhanced learning spread very broad and change continuously due to the dynamic nature of this evolving research field(see example links below.) Hence, the definition of TEL must be as broad and general as possible in order to capture all aspects:
Technology enhanced learning (TEL) has the goal of providing socio-technical innovations (also improving efficiency and cost effectiveness) for learning practices, regarding individuals and organizations, independent of time, place and pace. The field of TEL therefore describes the support of any learning activity through technology.
supports a number of projects in the area of TEL.
There are several Networks of Excellences that (have) specifically contribute(d) to shaping the research area around TEL:
is currently in its Technology Enhanced Learning phase. It is currently funding eight large projects in the TEL field across the UK.
TEL is often used synonymously with E-Learning
E-learning
E-learning comprises all forms of electronically supported learning and teaching. The information and communication systems, whether networked learning or not, serve as specific media to implement the learning process...
even though there are significant differences. The main difference between the two expressions is that TEL focuses on the technological support of any pedagogical approach that utilizes technology. However this is rarely presented as including print technology or the developments around libraries, books and journals in the centuries before computers.
A learning activity can be described in terms of the
- learning resources: creation, distribution, access, compilation, consumption of digital content; tools and services
- actions: communicationCommunicationCommunication is the activity of conveying meaningful information. Communication requires a sender, a message, and an intended recipient, although the receiver need not be present or aware of the sender's intent to communicate at the time of communication; thus communication can occur across vast...
, collaborationCollaborationCollaboration is working together to achieve a goal. It is a recursive process where two or more people or organizations work together to realize shared goals, — for example, an intriguing endeavor that is creative in nature—by sharing...
, interaction with software tools - context: time, duration, surrounding people and location
- roles: A learning activity is carried out by various actors in changing roles (e.g. studentStudentA student is a learner, or someone who attends an educational institution. In some nations, the English term is reserved for those who attend university, while a schoolchild under the age of eighteen is called a pupil in English...
, teacherTeacherA teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
, facilitatorFacilitatorA facilitator is someone who helps a group of people understand their common objectives and assists them to plan to achieve them without taking a particular position in the discussion...
, learning coach, human resource or education manager). - learning objective: to support every human in achieving her or his learning goals, respecting individual as well as organizational learningOrganizational learningOrganizational learning is an area of knowledge within organizational theory that studies models and theories about the way an organization learns and adapts....
preferences
Learning activities can follow different pedagogical approaches and didactic concepts.The main focus in TEL is on the interplay between these activities and respective technologies. This can range from enabling access to and authoring of a learning resource to elaborate software systems managing (e.g. learning management
Learning Management
Learning Management is the capacity to design pedagogic strategies that achieve learning outcomes for students.- Definition :A learning management system is a software application or Web-based technology that ranges from managing training and training records to distributing courses to...
system, learning content management system
Content management system
A content management system is a system providing a collection of procedures used to manage work flow in a collaborative environment. These procedures can be manual or computer-based...
s, learning repositories, adaptive learning hypermedia systems, etc.) and managing (human resource management
Resource management
In organizational studies, resource management is the efficient and effective deployment of an organization's resources when they are needed. Such resources may include financial resources, inventory, human skills, production resources, or information technology...
systems; tools for self-directed learning
Autodidacticism
Autodidacticism is self-education or self-directed learning. In a sense, autodidacticism is "learning on your own" or "by yourself", and an autodidact is a person who teaches him or herself something. The term has its roots in the Ancient Greek words αὐτός and διδακτικός...
, etc.) the learning process of learners with technical means.
About the definition
The existing definitions for technology enhanced learning spread very broad and change continuously due to the dynamic nature of this evolving research field(see example links below.) Hence, the definition of TEL must be as broad and general as possible in order to capture all aspects:
Technology enhanced learning (TEL) has the goal of providing socio-technical innovations (also improving efficiency and cost effectiveness) for learning practices, regarding individuals and organizations, independent of time, place and pace. The field of TEL therefore describes the support of any learning activity through technology.
TEL in Europe
The EUEuropean Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
supports a number of projects in the area of TEL.
There are several Networks of Excellences that (have) specifically contribute(d) to shaping the research area around TEL:
TEL in the United Kingdom
The Teaching and Learning Research ProgrammeTeaching and Learning Research Programme
The Teaching and Learning Research Programme is the United Kingdom's Economic and Social Research Council's largest investment in education research. It was initiated in 2000 and is expected to end in 2011. The programme incorporates 700 researchers in 70 projects, which cover all education...
is currently in its Technology Enhanced Learning phase. It is currently funding eight large projects in the TEL field across the UK.
Associations dealing with TEL
- European Association on Technology Enhanced Learning (EATEL)
- CEN Learning Technologies Workshop (CEN WSLT)
- IEEE Technical Committee on Learning Technology (LTTC)
- IEEE Learning Technology Standards Committee (LTSC)
- Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE)
- Ariadne foundation
- The International Federation for Learning, Education, and Training Systems Interoperability (LETSI)
- ELearning Industry Group (ELIG)
- Eden
- European Schoolnet