Learning Technology Research

Professor Robin MasonProfessor Robin MasonInstitute of Educational Institute of Educational

TechnologyTechnologyThe Open UniversityThe Open University

Learning Technology research focuses Learning Technology research focuses on the inter-dependencies between on the inter-dependencies between

learning and technologylearning and technology

1. Re-usability1. Re-usability

We need standards and metadata to We need standards and metadata to render resources re-usable, but we render resources re-usable, but we need research to understand what and need research to understand what and how to re-use teaching materialhow to re-use teaching material

2. Legacy systems2. Legacy systems

We need to understand the interaction We need to understand the interaction between new learning opportunities between new learning opportunities and existing systemsand existing systems

3. Mass Delivery and 3. Mass Delivery and PersonalisationPersonalisation

What personalisation approaches really What personalisation approaches really improve learning? improve learning?

4. Globalisation4. Globalisation

We lack understanding We lack understanding of what constitutes a global curriculum, of what constitutes a global curriculum,

of how to design courses for a global of how to design courses for a global student body and student body and

of the impact of various technologies in of the impact of various technologies in different culturesdifferent cultures

5. Disparity of Opportunity5. Disparity of Opportunity

We need to consolidate disparate We need to consolidate disparate research into what technologies research into what technologies support disadvantage and disabilitysupport disadvantage and disability

6. Retention6. Retention

We need to pull together what is known We need to pull together what is known about how technology can help with about how technology can help with retaining studentsretaining students

7. Assessment7. Assessment

We need rigorous research into the We need rigorous research into the triple challenge of online assessment:triple challenge of online assessment:

i i fairness fairness

ii affordabilityii affordability

iii rigour iii rigour

8. Costs8. Costs

What course models are both What course models are both pedagogically effective AND financially pedagogically effective AND financially viable?viable?

9. Student-directed Learning9. Student-directed Learning

How can technology help to embed a How can technology help to embed a student-centred approach to teaching?student-centred approach to teaching?

10. Informal Learning10. Informal Learning

How do we exploit the benefits of How do we exploit the benefits of informal learning at higher education informal learning at higher education level?level?

ExamplesExamples

Institutional Reusability StudiesInstitutional Reusability Studies

E-portfoliosE-portfolios

Longitudinal StudiesLongitudinal Studies

RecommendationsRecommendations

1.1. More overview articlesMore overview articles

2.2. Learning Technology as a research Learning Technology as a research disciplinediscipline

3.3. More interplay between researchers, More interplay between researchers, developers and practitionersdevelopers and practitioners

4.4. Training for practitioner researchersTraining for practitioner researchers

5.5. Coordinated evaluationsCoordinated evaluations