Best Practice Guidelines for the Implementation of Technology Enhanced Learning, Teaching & Assessment Strategy

Abstract

Background: There is increasing interest in the use of computer-enhanced learning, teaching and assessment (CELTA) in medical education and health education at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. There is also evidence that CELTA provides a platform that is attractive to the academic stakeholders who seek to deliver high-quality personalised learning. The future development of CELTA is expected to evolve as the technology evolves. Effective CELTA is created when there is a successful alignment of the approach to learning with the use of technology. The alignment of the approach therefore needs to be based on sound pedagogical approaches. Methods: The aim of this project was to develop best practices guidelines for the implementation of a CELTA strategy in order to ensure effective design and delivery of the modules with the use of appropriate pedagogical approaches. The methodological approach that was used was the adoption of best practice/s, which included extensive literature review. University College Dublin’s Radiography Department’s practice for the use of CELTA was adopted as the best practice. Results: The guidelines were developed and were inclusive of five steps that can be followed for effective implementation of CELTA using sound pedagogical approaches. These steps are as follows: (1) Reason for the use of the technology – SAMR model. (2) Identification of the knowledge to be taught with technology – TPACK framework. (3) Consideration of pedagogical theories. (4) Identification of the suitable technology. (5) Design of the learning activity. Conclusion: The use of CELTA can play a significant role if appropriate pedagogical approaches are used to inform the design thereof.