A Threefold Framework for Relating to Innovations and Technology in Education: Learning from, with and about Technology

Introduction

Technology and education go naturally hand in hand, if by technology we mean a variety of tools ranging from the use of whiteboards to hi-tech simulation technology. The concept of technology used in the chapter has a broad scope encompassing man made tools with a strong bias towards Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Formal education institutions have traditionally been reluctant to adopt new technology into practice (Cuban, 1988). In IPE there are, however, initiatives taken where technology is a crucial part of the learning process, some of them reported in this book. For interprofessional practice the functions of overcoming logistic barriers and providing links between health care areas has shown valuable (Hubbard & Temessl-Huber, 2005).

In many respects IPE shares educational conditions with other aspects of Higher Education. A core concern of IPE, however, is forming professional identities in a way that is open to collaboration with others in the interest of providing care (Barr, 2005). This implies collaborative practice and frequent meetings between learners and educators from different contexts. As a basis for using technology for learning, educators generally draw on sources from distance education, e-learning and health-professions education. An interesting area of technology research is also the Computer Supported Collaborative Learning area (CSCL) that raises awareness of collaborative aspects of learning (Koschmann, 1996).

Computer technology is under constant development in terms of software and hardware, as well as the way we use it. Anticipations of what the future has to offer around the corner are seldom correct, but recent trend-reports suggest that hardware, the physical devices, are getting smaller and melt more seamlessly into our everyday world. Devices are also getting smarter in the sense that they “know” where they are positioned in time and space. Information and social network services are becoming even more accessible and less dependent on single hardware servers, now residing on systems of hardware connected in “clouds” (for more technology trends see the Horizon report: Johnson, Levine & Smith, 2009). This continues the extension of human capacities through technology as tools that we use for communication and learning.

Current technology practices in IPE comprise e-learning modules on collaborative practice skills (Chambers, Conklin, Dalziel, MacDonald & Stodel, 2008), re-usable learning objects centred towards concepts and real life cases and interactive patient journeys (CIPEL, 2009; Jonsson et al., 2006), as well as technology that connects people in virtual communities (Demiris, 2006). Policy makers and educators need to keep an eye on current practices as well as looking ahead towards how technology can be used tomorrow as a lever advancing IPE. However, to be beneficial for practitioners and patients, introduction of technology in IPE needs to be driven less by entrepreneurial or policy interests and more by everyday challenges in education and practice. These challenges consist of answering how technology can contribute in core areas of IPE: values, communication and social processes (Mallow & Gilje, 1999).

Technology can play a central role in the change of attitudes and practices necessary for interprofessional endeavours. There are therefore good reasons to consider technology and innovations seriously. The objective of this chapter is to provide food for thought concerning technology for IPE and to stimulate further deliberate use of new technology. The author draws from experience of educational software development and its integration in health care education as well as teaching experiences in e-learning and informatics to educators and doctoral students in the health professions.