Grand Challenges in Technology Enhanced Learning: Outcomes of the 3rd Alpine Rendez-Vous

Abstract

Research challenges have helped to drive innovation beyond limits for a long time. The first recorded success story of such research competition is probably to be found in the prize-winning invention of the chronometer in 1773: the novel technology expanded horizons by rendering navigation at sea independent of a line of sight. More recently, i.e., half a century ago in 1961, boundaries were further lifted and research skyrocketed after the American president Kennedy set the Grand Challenge to put a man on the moon by the end of the decade. Only eight years later in 1969, Armstrong wrote history by making ‘‘one small step for [a] man, but one giant leap for mankind’’. In the globalised world of today, however, the big problems we face and for which we need research are not up in the clouds or beyond the horizon—quite to the contrary! Europe 2020, the EU’s new strategy for a ‘‘smart, sustainable and inclusive economy’’,1 for example, sets ambitious goals for Europe in education, innovation, employment, for the environment, and with respect to social inclusion. Undoubtedly in a knowledge-driven society, technology-enhanced learning can play a major role in establishing a path towards achieving the targets in many of these areas. For this reason, the Network of Excellence STELLAR has been established and contracted by the European Commission to (re-) structure the research field of technology-enhanced learning (TEL) by developing a new vision and building up the required capacities for approaching it. This book presents a key piece of the vision and strategy developed in STELLAR. It sets out a new mid-term agenda by defining Grand Challenges for research and development in technology-enhanced learning. Other than mere technology prizes, STELLAR Grand Challenges deal with problems at the inter- face of social and technical sciences. They pose problems that can be solved only in interdisciplinary collaboration. The descriptions of the Grand Challenge Prob- lems were sent out to a number of stakeholders from industry, academia, and policy-making, who responded with insightful, creative and critical comments bringing in their specific perspectives. This book should inspire everyone interested in TEL and its neighbouring disciplines in their future projects. For all of the listed problems, first hints in respect to the approach, measurable success indicators and funding sources are sketched. The challenges focus on what these experts regard as important upcoming, pending, and innovative fields of research, the solution of which is within reach in a timeframe of 2–15 years starting right now! This book should be a valuable resource not only to researchers and funding agencies, but also to teachers, and providers in formal education and continuing professional development. History has shown us that Grand Challenges can be used successfully as an agenda-setting instrument. Focused campaigns in research and development can spark and coordinate global innovation by providing a reward mechanism com- plementing funding efforts.