Designs for Learning

Abstract

This article explores the potentials of new pedagogical approaches, assisted by digital technologies, to transform today's learning environments and create learning for the future – learning environments which could be more relevant to a changing world, more effective in meeting community expectations and which manage educational resources more efficiently. Equally important, the challenge is to create learning environments which engage the sensibilities of learners who are increasingly immersed in digital and global lifestyles – from the entertainment sources they choose to the way they work and learn. The experimental work upon which this article is based is grounded in a philosophy of teaching and learning that values a variety of active ways of knowing. Teaching that harnesses diversity and leads to learner transformation involves a variety of knowledge processes that need to be made explicit and part of a teacher's pedagogical repertoire. The tools described in the article provide a way for educators to reflect on their choices, document their learning programs, map curriculum, share effective practice and write up learning community goals. They also allow students to build, share, collaborate upon and publish portfolios of the work they have created digitally. The result will be greater transparency and accountability amongst those who share responsibility for education.