Technology and Education Research Group (TERG)
We carry out practically-oriented research into: the use of technology for learning; the teaching and learning of computing, communications and technology.
Our research draws on our strong record of teaching innovation, and the substantial expertise that we have established in online and distance learning. The increasing prevalence of e-learning and social approaches to learning mean that our work is central to current educational debates.
We have a strong record of publishing in journals and conferences on educational technology and computing education. Many members of the group are involved in institutionally funded scholarship projects via eSTEeM, the OU centre for STEM pedagogy (http://www.open.ac.uk/about/teaching-and-learning/esteem/). These projects cover a range of topics in technology and education.
The group provides an environment to: promote and support educational research and scholarship activities; foster collaborative research in technology and education; and disseminate our work through educational technology and computing education research journals and conferences.
We have recently been successful in two funding bids to the UfI charitable trust (for ~£270k and ~50k). This funding was for the development and evaluation of vocational education in data networking, by using screencasts, simulation software and automated assessment. The initial project The Open Networking Lab investigated how students can learn a technical subject through simulation and experiential learning. The follow-up project Open Networking Lab Accessibility extended this experience and investigation to visually impaired learners.
