The views represented here are those of the author and not
necessarily those of the Commission
Technological Change,
by Simon Mauger
This is the second of the Inquiry’s thematic papers, published on 20
March 2009. It starts from the perspective that given the increasing
ubiquity of computers everyone will be affected by their presence.
It argues, therefore, that those engaged with lifelong learning in
any capacity need to better understand the implications of this, so
that future societies are the ones we seek rather than the ones we
end up with. It highlights some key implications and challenges for
the lifelong learning system, and argues for more attention to be
paid to the cultural, as well as the technical implications of
technology, in particular the ways it is fundamentally changing the
behaviours that we associate with teaching and learning.
Technological change: a summary of discussions at the expert seminar
and Commissioner's meeting
This note summarises the key points and issues for further
consideration by the Inquiry that were raised during the expert
seminar on 7 April 2008. This was a wide ranging and stimulating
seminar which offered creative challenges to established thinking.
Improving the Impact of Learning Technologies at Work: lessons
from businesses and their employees.
This paper provides a number of insights into how learning
technologies are currently being used by businesses to deliver
skills in the workplace, how adult learners respond to learning
technologies in the context of work, and the lessons that can be
learned to improve the impact of learning technologies in the
workplace. The observations are based on the Towards Maturity
research project carried out by e-skills UK. Research participants
included over 200 businesses and organisations and 1,000 learners.
The study suggested that the effective and appropriate use of
learning technology benefits both learners and the organisation
itself.
Lifelong Learning and Technological Change
This discussion paper aims to set out the current situation and
highlight what the evidence suggests are some of the major issues to
be considered in the use of technology in education. It argues that,
whilst technology could make a significant contribution to
participation and achievement in learning, and thus to economic
growth, social cohesion, and personal development and prosperity, it
has not always been deployed as effectively or creatively as it
might be. A range of proposals are made to address this problem.
Technology and Learning: some observations
This paper provides some observations regarding the role and
influence of ICT, and in particular the internet, on the ways in
which adults will access and manage learning in the coming twelve to
fourteen years. The wide-ranging discussion covers areas including:
the influence and impact o technology; individual, organisational
and ‘network’ behaviour; learning and place; barriers to the
‘transformational’ technology; and embedded technology. It also
suggests a range of emerging ‘behaviours’ associated with the use of
ICT, and considers how these illuminate learners’ interactions with
technology.
Technological Change and Lifelong Learning: perfect storm or
tornado
This paper focuses on the implications for pedagogy of the
introduction of new technologies to support learning. It draws on
evidence from the past 10-15 years of activity in the use of ICT in
higher education and informal learning, and in particular on
experiences from the Open University. The development of abroad
range of new technologies is considered, from Virtual Learning
Environments to Moodles and Web 2.0, and their use by and meaning
for learners in different contexts. The potential for new
technologies to transform the practice of learning, pedagogy and the
ways in which learning is organised Is stressed.
Written Evidence Submitted:
Follow the links below to read a selection of the written evidence submitted to the Inquiry in response to the call for evidence for this theme.
The
Inquiry into the Future
for Lifelong Learning 
Technological
Change
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