Professional Learning in Europe and Beyond Structures for Sustainable TEL-Research

This paper outlines how the Network of Excellence in professional learning (PROLEARN) influences European and world-wide research in the area of technology enhanced professional learning. Two new European projects, iCamp and Prolix serve as excellent examples of the impact of PROLEARN. The establishment of the professional learning cluster (PRO-LC) that bases on PROLEARN and its results further proves the urgency for a European wide organization in the area of research in technology enhanced professional learning. Network of Excellence in Professional Learning – PROLEARN While eLearning is increasingly influencing university and workplace education in Europe, several critical issues still have to be solved in order to achieve the full potential of technology enhanced learning in many of these learning scenarios. The EU/IST FP6 PROLEARN Network of Excellence in Technology Enhanced Learning (http://www.prolearn-project.org/) is focussing on these issues, and advancing the state of the art in this area, through a large concerted effort of more than 350 research institutions and companies working together in the PROLEARN Consortium and as PROLEARN Associated Partners. The PROLEARN key areas cover the use of software systems like brokerage platforms and services, appropriate business models and networks for specific markets, and advanced workplace arrangements integrating eLearning and knowledge work management with social software. Key issues also involve advanced production, deployment and exchange of professional learning resources and the use of these learning resources for professional training in small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) and larger companies. It is the goal of the PROLEARN Network of Excellence to substantially increase the interlinking between these communities and to integrate the various research communities as well as eLearning providers and companies through joint research,