Technology enhances Collaborative Learning in educational and workplace contexts: The perspective of Sami Paavola.

Abstract

"Technology enhanced learning" is a buzzword in the field of education and professional training, but its real meaning is often hazy and not well known. In school education and professional training, technologies sometimes reproduce old-fashioned pedagogical practices rather than transforming or innovating. Sami Paavola, a researcher at CRADLE (Center for Research on Activity, Development and Learning) and lecturer at University of Helsinki, shares some useful reflections on this topic. Paavola and colleagues have been developing a new theoretical perspective on Computer Supported Collaborative Learning for the last ten years. In this interview, he describes kinds of challenges we need to face in technology enhanced learning. He also presents new trends and solutions for current problems in school and workplaces.