Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) is the use of technology to facilitate and support innovative teaching and learning practices. It goes beyond the simple use of computers in the classroom, but rather revolutionises the learning environment into one which is more exciting, creative and engaging for all learners, especially those students with additional learning needs.

In Further Education and Training environments, the establishment of TEL is underpinned by the ETBI/SOLAS 2016-2019 TEL in FET strategy, which dovetails with numerous strategies, including: the 2013 National Digital Strategy for Ireland; the 2015 Public Service ICT Strategy; the overarching Further Education and Training (FET) Strategy 2014–2019; the National Skills Strategy 2025; the 2015 Digital Strategy for Schools; and the Digital Roadmap for HE.By 2019, it is hoped that using technology to enhance learning and teaching will provide greater access to FE for learners, enterprise, and our wider society and economy. However, within the confines of your classroom, TEL enables student-centred, individualised teaching methods with differentiated tools for learning, in addition to tools for tracking progress and achievements of and by the learner (Staric, 2010).

There are tools which can, for example, assist with

• receiving feedback from our learners
• checking for understanding
• providing assessment of and for learning
• appealing to individual learners
• providing access to learning and teaching, extending well beyond the classroom

This practical, interactive and hands-on one-day session will introduce you to some of the tools which can help you to redesign your existing materials and transform your own teaching, and therefore the experiences of your learners. You are required to Bring Your Own Device (BYOD). Smartphones are not sufficient for this session, so you will need a laptop or a tablet/notebook. For practical application in your classroom setting, many of the tools covered in this session will require internet access for both yourself and the learners in your own particular learning environment.