A computer science perspective on technology-enhanced learning research

In this chapter we examine the role of computer science (CS) in the field of technology-enhanced learning (TEL). CS encompasses a number of distinct intellectual traditions, generating debates about the nature of the CS field. Given the diversity of views within CS and within TEL, our aim in this chapter is to highlight a number of important CS-related issues that impact on the TEL domain. We first note that taking a computational/technological perspective on TEL does not imply a privileging of this perspective, but can be used as a lens to highlight certain issues of importance for the whole TEL field. We then examine three distinct ways in which computer scientists can be involved in TEL research: creating novel forms of computational mechanisms and infrastructures that afford new possibilities for studying and enhancing learning and teaching processes; contributing to the elaboration of powerful abstractions; and implementing specific TEL models and processes on computer systems. We finally discuss several TEL issues in the light of this analysis.