Networked Learning: A Brief History and New Trends

Abstract

The chapters in this book emerge from selected conference papers given at the Networked Learning conference 2010 in Aalborg. In this chapter, we fi rst offer a short review of the history of networked learning. We examine how it has developed in both the UK and Denmark as well as in other parts of Europe and the USA. The chapter fi rst outlines the philosophical and pedagogical roots of networked learning and, in addition, describes some of the history of the development of the Networked Learning Conference itself. It considers how developments in the World Wide Web and Web 2.0 in particular have given fresh impetus and support to the basic principles and ideas behind networked learning as a pedagogical approach. That is, an approach that takes a critical and inquiring perspective and focuses on the potential of information and communication technology (ICT) to support connections and collaboration. The chapter concludes with a summary of the structure and content of the rest of the book.