A technology supported visitation program to the Sydney Olympic Park: Learner challenges and teacher support

This paper outlines the development and initial implementation of a technology -supported visitation program for the site of the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney Australia - the Sydney Olympic Park. The site is embedded with rich content and offers a broad range of extended studies and investigations for school children. The context provides learning activities before students visit the park site, specific tasks during their visit and follow up tasks to resolve the challenge post-visit. The program is developed within the content and process parameters of local curriculum specifications and uses the latest technology and research in such contexts. The project has numerous features to be investigated through multiple research agendas such as learning object repositories; supporting teachers in developing effective technology -supported pedagogical designs through an electronic performance support system; and, the use of cognitive tools to scaffold learners through the learning process.