Case Study Report on inclusive Learning 2.0: Report on in-depth case studies of innovative examples of the use of Learning 2.0 and Web 2.0 for inclusive lifelong learning

Background and aims of Links-up Links-up is a two-year research project that is co-financed by the Lifelong Learning programme of the European Commission. The project started in November 2009 and is carried out by an international project team: The project co-coordinator University of Erlangen (DE), Arcola Research LLP (UK), European Distance and eLearning Network (UK), Salzburg Research Forschungsgesellschaft (AT), Servizi Didattici e Scientifici per l'Università di Firenze (IT) and University of the Hague (NL). The overall aim of Links-up is to combine and enhance the know-how of existing projects in the field of inclusion with learning 2.0 in order to promote better future e-inclusion projects and policies. More specifically, Links-up will ' collect and analyse information on projects that are using Web 2.0 ' tools and methods for learning and social inclusion, ' implement an "Innovation Laboratory" for "Learning 2.0 for inclusion" ' to support knowledge-sharing between different existing initiatives, ' develop new approaches and tools building on the gathered expertise, ' and test identified success factors in five learning experiments ' examining whether and in what ways they improve the efficiency and effectiveness of current learning 2.0 approaches for inclusion. This research work reflects the increasing interest in the opportunities offered by "Web 2.0" for supporting innovative ways of learning, especially for those who are "hard to reach" or "at risk" of social exclusion. Links-up relates to, and aims to support, a number of current policy initiatives. On the European level this includes the EU i2010 initiative (2005), the Riga Declaration on e-inclusion policy goals (2006); the Lisbon Declaration on e-inclusion (2007); the European Commission's Communication "Ageing Well in the Information Society" (2007)and the "e- inclusion: be part of it" initiative. Case study report on inclusive Learning 2.0 This report presents an in-depth case study analysis of 24 examples of innovative use of Learning 2.0 and Web 2.0 for inclusive lifelong learning (project deliverable 2.1). A narrative descriptions of the 24 case studies is free available for download from the project website. The main objective of this collection and analysis of exemplary projects is to investigate the potential of Learning 2.0 to support the social inclusion of groups at risk of exclusion from society. In particular, problems encountered and lessons learned by the projects are summarised, and a number of practical recommendations provided on how to realise successful projects in Web 2.0 learning and social inclusion. The projects studied are also set within the current "landscape of Learning 2.0 for inclusion", i.e. the contexts of policy, theory and practices. Thus the extent to which the cases support the major policies in the field, the conceptual thinking around social inclusion and the needs of excluded groups is evaluated. Moreover, the projects are reflected upon from the perspective of a "theory of change" approach taking account of the evidence on impacts they provide