ICT-supported learning environments: The challenge of reconciling technology and pedagogy

For various reasons many teachers use the internet as little more than a repository for content, and fail to harness the powerful informational, communicative and interactive learning possibilities of ICTs in general. This is typified by the common ‘add-on’ use of e-learning platforms, webforums and class webpages as if they were a substitute for classroom interaction. Technical assistance may be initially offered to these teachers to get started. But any educator wanting to effectively use ICTs in education needs to understand basic pedagogical as well as technological principles in order to design and develop ICT-supported learning environments relevant to their particular purposes and educational contexts. In terms of the challenge to reconcile distinct pedagogical and technological notions, this short paper will outline a convergent framework for ‘ICT-supported learning environments being presently explored as part of a Teaching and Development Grant at the HKIED. Copyright © 2003 International Conference on Computers in Education ICCE 2003.