DEFINING TEL AND TEACHING
The first step in the process of writing the Technology-Enhanced Learning and Teaching Report involved developing a common understanding of what the concept of TEL meant to us as the authors. Our perspective of TEL and teaching aligned with that of Laurillard et al. (2009) who viewed technology as a means of supporting new types of learning experiences as well as enhancing existing learning contexts. Moreover, they held the view that ‘interactive and cooperative digital media have an inherent educational value as a new means of intellectual expression and creativity’ (Laurillard et al. 2009, p. 289). Building on these understandings, Laurillard et al. (2009, p. 304) suggested that ‘the route from research to innovation, then to practice, through to mainstream implementation requires the following:
• An understanding of the authentic professional contexts that will influence the curriculum, pedagogy and assessment practices that need technology enhancement
• Congruence between innovation and teacher values
• Teachers having time to reflect on their beliefs about learning and teaching because TEL requires a more structured and analytical approach to pedagogy
• Teachers and practitioners need a sense of ownership through their involvement in co-development of the TEL products and environments
• TEL research must be conducted to reflect the interdependence between researchers and users
• Education leaders need more support for the radical change of institutional teaching and learning models needed, if technology is to be exploited effectively
• Teachers need to be more closely engaged in the design of teaching that uses technology, collaborating with peers and exchanging ideas and practices’
This understanding of TEL and teaching underpinned the development of the Good Practice Report on TEL and Teaching