Teachers' Professional Development for the Technology-Enhanced Classroom in the School of Tomorrow

This article discusses the following general questions: (1) what is the role of the teacher in the technology enhanced classroom; and (2) how are teachers prepared for the use of new technology in the classroom? The answers will differ among European countries due to, among other reasons, resources, national initiatives and available infrastructure. The overall goal of using technology in education also needs to be clarified. Is the driving force primarily of an economic nature to make education cheaper? Is the overall goal rather to improve the quality of learning? Is it about increasing student experiences? Is it about attracting more students? Does it have to do with increasing the prestige of teachers? Is it introduced in order to increase flexibility in time, place and organisation of learning? Or is it something else? This article is based on results from two European Union projects, E-watch and Schoolforesight, as well as innovative ideas and examples of teacher training and development. The European Union project E-watch investigated national policies for e-learning in Europe; the Schoolforesight project included among other activities an essay contest about students' visions of the future school. A study of teachers' visions of the future school was also conducted. No definite answers to the above questions are given, but a number of suggestions, opportunities and inspirational ideas are presented on how to organise the technology enhanced classroom and teachers' professional development. (Contains 2 figures, 2 tables and 8 resources.)