Learning Technology Research

Where are we now? Current trends in Technology Supported Education and Training
Steve Wheeler
University of Plymouth, UK Paper presented at the World Conference on Computers in Education, Copenhagen, Denmark, July 2001

Information and communication technology (ICT) is beginning to pervade all aspects of education and training. The UK government's recent establishment of an e-university network, to recognise and promote work of universities in distance learning, and information and communication technology, underlines the extent of the activity. Schools, colleges and universities are investing ever increasing amounts of funding into the purchase, development, and use of Internet tools, videoconference equipment and computer mediated communications software. The concept of technology supported distributed learning is beginning to grow in both use and acceptance among teachers and trainers. The opportunities to use telematics are increasing in terms of the number of applications and combinations of technologies that can be used to deliver training and education to distributed students. Accompanying these trends is a growing wealth of research about distance education, including guidelines on virtual learning environments, selection of technology and media mix, case studies and reviews of pedagogical experiences.

This paper outlines some of the most recent trends in educational telematics and discusses some of the common applications of these technologies in distance learning. The University of Plymouth model is featured and comparisons are offered with work in other countries. Some of the newer applications such as streaming media and compressed digital broadcast technologies are described, and the paper concludes by offering an evaluation of best practice for teaching using these technologies.