ADVANCED LEARNING TECHNOLOGIES IN THE NEW INSTRUCTIONAL PARADIGM

There is a trend towards the introduction of computer networks and related technologies into the educational and training process in order to enrich the latter by providing alternative means to the students for learning, communicating and collaborating. The need to shift from the conventional instructional paradigm to the new networked model is becoming eminent and the attempt of taming these technologies in order to make them functional and at the same time achieving pedagogical efficiency remains a great challenge. In this paper we present the technologies of computer networks that are used to support the instructional process, namely advanced learning technologies. After defining these technologies we describe the ways they can be used in the context of the learning process by categorizing them according to the services they provide. Next we present a brief literature review, outlining the major players that are conducting considerable research in the field of advanced learning technologies and are attempting to standardize the various aspects of these technologies. Finally we conclude with some remarks about the present situation in the application of advanced learning technologies