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There have been massive disruptions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the world of Teaching and Learning with an unprecedented need for innovation and agility. Among the pressing concerns at the forefront of this pandemic are the best models and practices for e-learning at speed and within budget for areas of the sector moving to blended learning. A diverse range of responses has been observed from rapid curriculum redevelopment to upskilling teachers in designing and offering e-learning. Amongst the many challenges, teachers find themselves using teaching methods they have never used before, from synchronous lectures to sharing material and lecture recording,  there is a lack of access to online tools and technology, a concern about a diminished quality of learning due to the sudden shift to e-learning, and a threat to students’ well-being, achievement  and future prospects. Yet, the unexpected shift to e-learning is a unique opportunity for rethinking education and promoting innovation, through for example, the design of flexible teaching and learning programmes, a skill-focused curriculum in which problem solving, critical thinking and reflection are prominent, and the use of effective and evidence-based pedagogical approaches. Open learning is seeking journal articles for consideration in a special issue on the impact of innovative teaching practices facilitated by technology on both students’ and staff’s socio-emotional needs together with cognitive considerations.

Themes

Themes include but are not entirely limited to:

Technology and tools used in e-learning and their effectiveness

Pedagogical practices and their effectiveness

Accessibility of proposed practices by students

Impact of proposed practices on students’ or staff’s cognitive and socio-emotional development

Best practices and models of supporting social learning

Important Dates

Notification of intent to submit: As soon as possible

Paper Submission: 18th January 2021

Notification of Acceptance: 30th April 2021

Final Version: 30th June 2021

Planned Publication: November 2021

All papers will be refereed according to Open Learning’s rigorous peer review process based on initial editor screening and anonymized review by at least two external experts. Papers should be submitted online at: https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/copl20/current  The deadline for submissions is January 18th 2021. However, if you are planning to submit a paper, please provide a tentative title and short abstract as early as possible to the Guest Editors:

Denise Whitelock, Open University UK

Christothea Herodotou, Open University UK

Simon Cross, Open University UK

Eileen Scanlon, Open University UK

Guest Editors can be contacted at: [email protected]

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