Technology-enhanced learning for teacher development: a case study of professional learning and initial teacher education

Abstract

The emergence of networked technology has profound implications for the way in which people communicate and work at all levels of society. Learning as a key aspect of life is at the core of such developments. Technology-enhanced learning (TEL) is a new term encompassing the innovative ways in which technology can support and augment learning including within its scope collaborative and pedagogic approaches. As such, TEL presents a range of opportunities for teacher professional development; an area of increasing importance in an ever-changing world. This book explores TEL in the context of teacher education focusing on the uses of asynchronous conferencing as part of an open and distance learning course. Conceived within sociocultural theory this study develops a framework for stimulating important aspects of professional learning within reflective communities of developing teachers. This book therefore provides a penetrating account for professional learning and it should be especially useful to researchers, course developers, teachers, or anyone interested in TEL and the education of professionals.