In the first round of the Stellar Delphi study, the following research topics were perceived as important.

Collaborative learning

Collaborative learning is identified as one of the most important and prominent research themes in the last few years. However, whether collaborative learning is established as a pedagogical practice remains debatable.

Experts who mentioned collaborative learning as a research theme in the past also mentioned Web 2.0/social software as a technological development in the last couple of years. This connection indicates that the researchers in the field of collaborative learning are well aware of the technological developments and their potential in enhancing the pedagogical method.

Ubiquitous and contextualized learning and technology

Ubiquitous technology satisfies the need for permanent access to the latest information in a time where knowledge is the most valuable resource and where knowledge is, as one expert pointed out, changing quickly and dynamically. Even further, mobile devices bear the potential to improve formal learning by bridging informal learning settings, such as a visit to the zoo, with formal learning settings, such as a biology class.

As a possible future scenario, the experts envisioned that in the future, learners will be equipped with a single handheld device that allows them to access learning resources, connect with study partners and track their learning process.

It seems that the development of devices that can actually be used for ubiquitous and contextualized learning and technology has only just started and that future devices will be even “smarter” and easier to use. Mobile all-in-one learning devices could be used to communicate with learning partners, exchange learning materials, collaboratively work on documents or log into online learning communities. However, the experts pointed out that interoperability of TEL devices (hardware) and TEL tools (software) is a key technological challenge that needs to be met in order to make this possible

Instructional methods and frameworks

Future educational challenges may not only be met by adapting formal education as we know it, e.g. school systems and universities. Rather, the connection between formal education and informal learning as well as lifelong and workplace learning will need to be redefined. Some experts suggested that TEL research should develop methods for assessing and accrediting informal learning.

A specific form of teacher training that was suggested is the training and teaching of TEL-skills: “computer-literacy, collaboration skills, learning skills, reading skills, information evaluation skills...: What skills are needed, how do they influence each other? How can they best be taught?“ This may include teaching media literacy and information literacy as well as adapting to new generations of students, i.e. digital natives who grew up with ICTs as part of their daily life.

With regard to pedagogic methods no specific methods were frequently mentioned. However, a trend towards active and participative learning approaches such as inquiry-based learning, game-based learning, or the situated learning framework is evident.

Lifelong learning and informal learning

Lifelong learning concerns intentional competence development after formal education. In contrast, the term informal learning refers to learning that takes place unintentionally, e.g. while surfing on the internet or visiting a museum. Both topics are envisioned to become much more important in the future.

According to the panel, the two main key developments that influences these research topics are Web 2.0 and the spread of technological hardware (including mobile devices). The trend is toward seamless technology that is integrated into most aspects of every-day life and will be used by the majority of people (e.g., ubiquitous and contextualized learning, new ways of human-computer interaction).

Admittedly, the research topics are quite technology-centered. However, the topics are explicitly related to objectives. An important objective is providing access to TEL tools to as many and as diverse people as possible. A second important objective is to improve formal education - however, informal learning and lifelong learning become increasingly important.

The above is a summary of the outcomes of the first Delphi Round. The complete report can be downloaded from the Stellar Repository (look for D1.3)