Themes in Technology Enhanced Learning

Learning has been influenced by technology at least since prehistoric paintings flickering in the light of burning torches displayed beasts and hunting to the children of cave dwellers. What makes digital systems different from the previous technologies of painting, writing, audio recording and film is that they are interactive. Computers, and more recently mobile devices can not only provide teaching materials through a variety of media, they can also respond to learners by linking between web pages, reacting to queries, and engaging in games and simulations. Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) harnesses the power of interactivity and has the potential to enhance what is learned, how we learn and how we teach. This book emerged from the work of STELLAR,1 a network of excellence in Technology Enhanced Learning funded by the European Union with the aim to provide a strategic direction for TEL research that improves learning and educational systems. STELLAR was formed with the view that breakthroughs in TEL research and development are more likely to occur when people come