Educational Innovation with Learning Networks: Tools and Developments

Sloep, P. B., Berlanga, A. J., Greller, W., Stoyanov, S., Van der Klink, M., Retalis, S., & Hensgens, J. (2012). Educational Innovation with Learning Networks: Tools and Developments. Journal of Universal Computer Science (J.UCS), 18(1), 44-61. doi:10.3217/jucs-017-01-0044Professional Development is ill served by traditional ways of learning. It can profit from a Learning Networks approach, which emphasizes logistic, content and didactic flexibility. Learning Networks are online, social networks that have been de- signed and tooled to foster informal learning. Three European projects are discussed – idSpace, LTfLL, Handover - which have developed tools befitting networked learning. Each in its own way, the projects illustrate the benefits of a networked learning ap- proach. This goes for all three flexibilities but in particular for the need to be didactical- ly flexible. Finally, it is argued that formal education could profit from the tools dis- cussed