Dissemination of a TEL network: strategies of dissemination and implementation of the ProLearn research network

ProLearn is a network of excellence in professional learning encompassing research groups across Europe and beyond. Its mission is to bring together the most important research groups in the area of professional learning and training, as well as other key organisations and industrial partners, thus bridging the currently existing gap between research and education at higher education institutions and professional training at the workplace. The dissemination and implementation strategy of ProLearn is based on several premises: the integration of target groups, the adaptation of user needs and preferences regarding the end product, the need for communication and the outlining of the benefits gained.ProLearn created two new instruments to support the implementation strategy concerning specific areas and target groups: The ProLearn Virtual Competence Centre is embedded in a market place for communicating demands of industry and solutions from research while the ProLearn Academy builds on disseminating and integrating the results of ProLearn in training seminars for students and young researchers. The paper will discuss some principle strategies for successful dissemination and implementation in technology enhanced learning and will showcase theses aspects on concrete examples of successful dissemination strategies from ProLearn practice.