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- Littlejohn, Allison, et al.
(author)
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Networked professional learning : An introduction
- 2019
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In: Networked professional learning. - Cham : Springer. - 9783030180300 ; , s. 1-11
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Book chapter (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Over the past decades a new form of professionalism has emerged, characterized by factors of fluidity, instability and continual change (Beck, 2000; De Laat, Schreurs, & Nijland, 2014). These factors diminish the validity of traditional career trajectories, where people would learn the professional knowledge they needed to follow a vocational pathway (Billett, 2001). New forms of professional development that support agile and flexible expansion of professional practice are needed (Tynjälä, 2008). Ideally these forms of development would be integrated into work, rather than being offered as a form of training in parallel to work (Felstead, Fuller, Jewson, & Unwin, 2009). Through the integration of work and learning, professionals could develop new forms of practice in efficient and effective ways. At the same time, the digitization of work has had a profound effect on professional practice (Huws, 2014). This digitization opens up opportunities for new forms of professional learning mediated by technologies through networked learning (Littlejohn & Margaryan, 2014). Networked learning is believed to lead to a more efficient flow of complex knowledge and routine information within the organization (Coburn, Mata, & Choi, 2013; Reagans & Mcevily, 2003), stimulate innovative behaviour (Coburn et al., 2013; Moolenaar, Daly & Sleegers, 2010; Thurlings, Evers, & Vermeulen, 2014) and result in a higher job satisfaction (Flap & Völker, 2001; Stoll, Bolam, McMahon, Wallace & Thomas, 2006). In this respect, networked learning can be perceived as an important perspective on both professional and organizational development. There is evidence that professionals learn in informal networks, yet networked learning has been largely invisible to professionals, managers and organisations as a form of professional development (Milligan, Littlejohn, & Margaryan, 2013). One reason could be because learning in networks requires specific competences that have to be acquired either through practice or in educational training, bringing new forms of professionalism. Another reason could be because learners may determine their own learning pathways, rather than relying on a teacher or trainer to guide them. These pathways may include observing colleagues who have greater expertise (Billett, 2011) or learning through working (Eraut, 2000). In these situations, learners may seem invisible. Alternatively, they may stray across traditional boundaries as they learn (Daniels, Edwards, Engeström, Gallagher, & Ludvigsen, 2013). This book, Networked Professional Learning, critiques the potential of networked learning as a platform for professional development. The concept of learning through work is, therefore well established and the use of the network as a medium for learning expands beyond the notion of ‘Professional Development’ which often is considered as formal, structured learning towards a more fluid and embedded form of learning for work which we term Networked Professional Learning. The book draws together the work of 35 experts across 6 countries spanning 3 continents, including Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands, Australia, Israel and the UK. The book will be of interest to researchers in the area of professional and digital learning, higher education managers, organizational Human Resource professionals, policy makers and students of technology enhanced learning. A unique feature of the text is that it not only provides examples of Networked Professional Learning, but it questions the impact of this emerging form of learning on work practice and interrogates the impact on the professionals of the future. To achieve this goal, the book is structured into three sections that explore networked professional learning from varying different perspectives, questioning what are legitimate forms of networked professional learning (Part 1 on Networked Professional Learning across the Professions), how new forms of professional learning impact the Academy (Part 2 on Higher Education) and what is the value creation that Networked Learning offers education professionals (Part 3 on Teacher Education).
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| 2. |
- Networked Learning Editorial Collective, (NLEC), et al.
(author)
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Networked Learning in 2021: A Community Definition
- 2021
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In: Postdigital Science and Education. - : Springer. - 2524-4868 .- 2524-485X. ; 3, s. 326-369
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction (Networked Learning Editorial Collective): Since the turn of this century, much of the world has undergone a tectonic socio-technological change. Computers have left the isolated basements of research institutes and entered people's homes. Network connectivity has advanced from slow and unreliable modems to high-speed broadband. Devices have evolved: from stationary desktop computers to ever-present, always-connected smartphones. These developments have been accompanied by new digital practices, and changing expectations, not least in education, where enthusiasm for digital technologies has been kindled by quite contrasting sets of values. For example, some critical pedagogues working in the traditions of Freire and Illich have understood computers as novel tools for political and social emancipation, while opportunistic managers in cash-strapped universities have seen new opportunities for saving money and/or growing revenues. Irrespective of their ideological leanings, many of the early attempts at marrying technology and education had some features in common: instrumentalist understanding of human relationships with technologies, with a strong emphasis on practice and 'what works'.It is now clear that, in many countries, managerialist approaches have provided the framing, while local constraints and exigencies have shaped operational details, in fields such as e-learning, Technology Enhanced Learning, and others waving the 'Digital' banner. Too many emancipatory educational movements have ignored technology, burying their heads in the sand, or have wished it away, subscribing toa new form of Luddism, even as they sense themselves moving to the margins. But this situation is not set in stone. Our postdigital reality results from a complex interplay between centres and margins. Furthermore, the concepts of centres and margins 'have morphed into formations that we do not yet understand, and they have created (power) relationships which are still unsettled. The concepts … have not disappeared, but they have become somewhat marginal in their own right.' (Jandrić andHayes 2019) Social justice and emancipation are as important as ever, yet they require new theoretical reconfigurations and practices fit for our socio-technological moment.In the 1990s, networked learning (NL) emerged as a critical response to dominant discourses of the day. NL went against the grain in two main ways. First, it embarked on developing nuanced understandings of relationships between humans and technologies; understandings which reach beyond instrumentalism and various forms of determinism. Second, NL embraced the emancipatory agenda of the critical pedagogy movement and has, in various ways, politically committed to social justice (Beaty et al. 2002; Networked Learning Editorial Collective 2020). Gathered around the biennial Networked Learning Conference,1 the Research in NetworkedLearning book series,2 and a series of related projects and activities, the NL community has left a significant trace in educational transformations over the last few decades.Twenty years ago, founding members of the NL community offered a definition of NL which has strongly influenced the NL community’s theoretical perspectives and research approaches (Goodyear et al. 2004).3 Since then, however, the world has radically changed. With this in mind, the Networked Learning Editorial Collective (NLEC) recently published a paper entitled 'Networked Learning: InvitingRedefinition' (2020). In line with NL's critical agenda, a core goal for the paper was to open up a broad discussion about the current meaning and understandings of NL and directions for its further development.The current collectively authored paper presents the responses to the NLEC's open call. With 40 contributors coming from six continents and working across many fields of education, the paper reflects the breadth and depth of current understandings of NL. The responses have been collated, classified into main themes, and lightly edited for clarity. One of the responders, Sarah Hayes, was asked to write aconclusion. The final draft paper has undergone double open review. The reviewers, Laura Czerniewicz and Jeremy Knox, are acknowledged as authors.Our intention, in taking this approach, has been to further stimulate democratic discussion about NL and to prompt some much-needed community-building.
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| 3. |
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Networked professional learning : Emerging and equitable discourses for professional development
- 2019
-
Editorial collection (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Over the past decades a new form of professionalism has emerged, characterized by factors of fluidity, instability and continual change (Beck, 2000; De Laat, Schreurs, & Nijland, 2014). These factors diminish the validity of traditional career trajectories, where people would learn the professional knowledge they needed to follow a vocational pathway (Billett, 2001). New forms of professional development that support agile and flexible expansion of professional practice are needed (Tynjälä, 2008). Ideally these forms of development would be integrated into work, rather than being offered as a form of training in parallel to work (Felstead, Fuller, Jewson, & Unwin, 2009). Through the integration of work and learning, professionals could develop new forms of practice in efficient and effective ways. At the same time, the digitization of work has had a profound effect on professional practice (Huws, 2014). This digitization opens up opportunities for new forms of professional learning mediated by technologies through networked learning (Littlejohn & Margaryan, 2014). Networked learning is believed to lead to a more efficient flow of complex knowledge and routine information within the organization (Coburn, Mata, & Choi, 2013; Reagans & Mcevily, 2003), stimulate innovative behaviour (Coburn et al., 2013; Moolenaar, Daly & Sleegers, 2010; Thurlings, Evers, & Vermeulen, 2014) and result in a higher job satisfaction (Flap & Völker, 2001; Stoll, Bolam, McMahon, Wallace & Thomas, 2006). In this respect, networked learning can be perceived as an important perspective on both professional and organizational development. There is evidence that professionals learn in informal networks, yet networked learning has been largely invisible to professionals, managers and organisations as a form of professional development (Milligan, Littlejohn, & Margaryan, 2013). One reason could be because learning in networks requires specific competences that have to be acquired either through practice or in educational training, bringing new forms of professionalism. Another reason could be because learners may determine their own learning pathways, rather than relying on a teacher or trainer to guide them. These pathways may include observing colleagues who have greater expertise (Billett, 2011) or learning through working (Eraut, 2000). In these situations, learners may seem invisible. Alternatively, they may stray across traditional boundaries as they learn (Daniels, Edwards, Engeström, Gallagher, & Ludvigsen, 2013). This book, Networked Professional Learning, critiques the potential of networked learning as a platform for professional development. The concept of learning through work is, therefore well established and the use of the network as a medium for learning expands beyond the notion of ‘Professional Development’ which often is considered as formal, structured learning towards a more fluid and embedded form of learning for work which we term Networked Professional Learning. The book draws together the work of 35 experts across 6 countries spanning 3 continents, including Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands, Australia, Israel and the UK. The book will be of interest to researchers in the area of professional and digital learning, higher education managers, organizational Human Resource professionals, policy makers and students of technology enhanced learning. A unique feature of the text is that it not only provides examples of Networked Professional Learning, but it questions the impact of this emerging form of learning on work practice and interrogates the impact on the professionals of the future. To achieve this goal, the book is structured into three sections that explore networked professional learning from varying different perspectives, questioning what are legitimate forms of networked professional learning (Part 1 on Networked Professional Learning across the Professions), how new forms of professional learning impact the Academy (Part 2 on Higher Education) and what is the value creation that Networked Learning offers education professionals (Part 3 on Teacher Education).
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