Cooperative networks enable shared knowledge: Rapid dissemination of innovative ideas and digital culture

Abstract

The paper reports developmental research using Information and Communication Technologies (lCT) in support of the sharing of knowledge and expertise of digital culture. In both sites for advanced learning, cooperative team projects provide a way for stakeholders to exchange knowledge and become enabled by new technologies. Professional development provides advanced teacher knowledge on learning, motivation and engagement in problem-based learning as a basis for the use of hand-held computers and networks to support strategic cooperative thinking among teams. The skills and confidence of young students using networked ICT is shared with less technically confident teachers. Expert teacher design of the learning context continually draws students' attention to the kinds of capabilities, knowledge, thinking and tools that are used to achieve different goals. Networked learning also has high economic value. A networked community comprised of teachers, students, scientists, and business people was developed to enable advanced learning in innovation. Three key features of the research projects were: The younger members of the community had the greatest knowledge of and commitment to communication and knowledge building in a digital culture; the development of authentic cooperation required all members to adopt new roles and rethink the traditional patterns of behaviour; teachers have made a particularly valuable professional contribution as they applied their expertise to facilitate learning and relationships for knowledge exchange. © 2003 by Springer Science+Business Media New York.