Design approaches in technology-enhanced learning

Abstract

Design is critical to the successful development of any interactive learning environment (ILE). Moreover, in technology-enhanced learning (TEL) the design process requires input from many diverse areas of expertise. As such, anyone undertaking tool development is required to directly address the design challenge from multiple perspectives. We provide a motivation and rationale for design approaches for learning technologies that draws upon Simon's seminal proposition of design science. We then review the application of design experiments and design patterns and argue that a patterns approach has the potential to address many of the critical challenges faced by learning technologists.

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Prof. Richard Noss and the paper reviewers for their insightful comments on this paper. This work was supported by the Kaleidoscope Network of Excellence and by the European Community under the Information Society Technologies priority of the 6th Framework Programme.