This keynote uses published research to explore how Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) can help to sustain learning communities to engage in creative exploration and open investigation. It then draws on this research to ask: How could we use TEL to support pedagogies of socio-ecological sustainability in the Art and Design education community?

Three inter-related themes are explored: learning communities - in developing shared values and supporting investigations around issues of concern; learning spaces - in supporting these communities and their dialogue; theory - to illustrate and provide language to understand the values, activities and goals of participants. Theory may help us to link the impact of these community activities, supported by TEL, to global issues. What is required to create pedagogies of socio-ecological sustainability in visual arts education using these themes?