Developing Networked Learning within Higher Education: a case study of an electronic forum for university staff

Abstract

This paper presents a case study on an electronic forum to enable university staff to discuss networked learning. The paper begins by describing networked learning and argues that its implementation will require rethinking approaches to teaching and new relationships between staff carrying out different roles within higher education institutions. The paper goes on to describe how an electronic forum was set up to enable staff to share their understanding and experiences of networked learning at a local university. This forum was valued by participants as it gave them the opportunity to contribute to a discussion and reflect on different approaches. However, the level of sharing was less than many would have liked due in the main to the high threshold to the discussion and time pressures on the participants.