Open, Social and Participatory Media

Abstract

This chapter considers the impact of new, open, social and participatory technologies on education and in particular how they are changing learning and teaching practices. It will consider their fundamental characteristics and look at the implications for learners, teachers and institutions. It argues that the impact on practice can be both positive and negative and that as a consequence educational institutions need to develop new policies and strategies to take account of these. This chapter considers the new forms of user behaviour that are resulting and provides examples of ways in which they are being used to support teaching and learning.