The world of education is being radically altered with the change being driven by technology, openness, and unprecedented access to knowledge. Older correspondence-style methods of instructional delivery are passe and "classroom adapted to the web" approaches to learning are often ineffective and do little to harness the transformational potential of technology. E-Learning scenarios, mobile technologies, communication and information access, and personal learning environmentsare becoming mainstream and, as a result, control of the learning process is shifting away from institutions and into the hands of learners. This volumes promotes a forward-thinking agenda for research and scholarship that highlights new ideas, deep insights, and novel approaches to "unconstrained" learning.

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The world of education is being radically altered with the change being driven by technology, openness, and unprecedented access to knowledge. Older correspondence-style methods of instructional delivery are passe and "classroom adapted to the web" approaches to learning are often ineffective and do little to harness the transformational potential of technology. E-Learning scenarios, mobile technologies, communication and information access, and personal learning environmentsare becoming mainstream and, as a result, control of the learning process is shifting away from institutions and into the hands of learners. This volumes promotes a forward-thinking agenda for research and scholarship that highlights new ideas, deep insights, and novel approaches to "unconstrained" learning.

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Learning and Instructional Technologies for the 21st Century gathers research which identify models and approaches to improve learning through the inclusion of technology. These papers, from leading researchers and thinkers in instructional technology, begin by refuting the idea that education can be improved through more or better technology. Instead, the contributors emphasize specific, research-based ideas, which re-evaluate learning, reorganize schools, redirect technology, and provide instruction.

Acknowledging the critical role of technology, these contributions explore technology's main advantage--its ability to enable advanced learning designs and emerging paradigms as well as to evolve learning interactions. While each paper explores a specific aspect of the role of technology, the collection shares this common theme. Without sufficient consideration to the process of learning and its many facets, technological availability alone will not provide a sustained impact on the educational process.

Originating from the first AECT Research Symposium, Learning and Instructional Technologies for the 21st Century will be of interest to researchers and practitioners alike.

Learning and Instructional Technologies for the 21st Century gathers research which identify models and approaches to improve learning through the inclusion of technology. These papers, from leading researchers and thinkers in instructional technology, begin by refuting the idea that education can be improved through more or better technology. Instead, the contributors emphasize specific, research-based ideas, which re-evaluate learning, reorganize schools, redirect technology, and provide instruction.

Acknowledging the critical role of technology, these contributions explore technology's main advantage--its ability to enable advanced learning designs and emerging paradigms as well as to evolve learning interactions. While each paper explores a specific aspect of the role of technology, the collection shares this common theme. Without sufficient consideration to the process of learning and its many facets, technological availability alone will not provide a sustained impact on the educational process.

Originating from the first AECT Research Symposium, Learning and Instructional Technologies for the 21st Century will be of interest to researchers and practitioners alike.