The Role of Technology in Learning: Managing to Achieve a Vision

The paper explores the current context for uses of technology in education, including the nature of work, the capabilities required by employees, and developments in the technology itself. A vision for education is needed: how might students be learning in the future and what role might technology play in this? By making students' learning needs the focus we can identify the support technology can offer. The issue of student access is discussed—both physical access to technology and the psychological confidence to use it. One major government initiative—the Teaching and Learning Technology Programme—shows the limits of what has been achieved to date. The paper ends by suggesting how changes necessary within the education sector might be better managed.