Keynotes

Prof. Dr. Diana Laurillard

"Rethinking universities in the light of technology-enhanced learning: A UK perspective on European collaboration." (Thursday afternoon)

Abstract

The introduction of technology enhanced learning (TEL) methods changes the deployment of the most important resource in the university system: teachers' and learners' time. New technology promises greater personalization and greater productivity, but without careful modeling of the effects on the use of staff time, TEL methods can easily increase cost without commensurate benefit. In particular, TEL methods need to be approached collaboratively, if we are to ensure both high quality and affordable teaching and learning as a result.
The presentation will argue for collaboration between academics in their teaching roles that emulates the practice of collaboration in their research roles. It will give examples of how we can achieve a more collaborative approach to teaching with reference to a UK-based R&D project to build tools to support academics involved in learning design. It will also make reference to the new approaches to teaching and learning being developed within the EU-funded Kaleidoscope Network of Excellence for TEL research.

About Diane Laurillard

Diana Laurillard is Chair of Learning with Digital Technologies at the London Knowledge Lab, part of the Institute of Education, University of London, and on the Executive of the EU-funded Kaleidoscope Network of Excellence in Technology Enhanced Learning. Her work focuses on theory-based design of learning and teaching methods and resources, learners' conceptions and misconceptions, flexible learning activity design tools for teachers, and cost-benefit modeling for the introduction of e-learning.

Professor Laurillard previously held a three-year term as Head of the e-Learning Strategy Unit at the UK Government's Department for Education and Skills, where she developed a coherent e-learning strategy for the Department across all the education and skills sectors, including schools, post-16, higher education, adult learning, training, home-based learning, workplace learning, and partnerships with private suppliers. The strategy Harnessing Technology: Transforming Learning and Children's Services, was published in March 2005.

From 1995 to 2002, she held two terms of office as Pro-Vice-Chancellor at the Open University. During that period she was responsible for developing the appropriate use of learning technologies within the full range of learning and teaching methods in the University's courses, and for the structural reform at the heart of its course production operations.

Her book 'Rethinking University Teaching' (Routledge Falmer, 2^nd edition 2002), has been widely acclaimed, and is still used as a set book in courses on learning technology all over the world. She has been a member of the Visiting Committee on IT at Harvard University, and a member of the Dearing Committee on Higher Education for the UK Government. This work has been recognized through her honorary degrees from the University of Abertay, the Open University of the Netherlands, and the University of Brighton. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and an Honorary Fellow of University College London.

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