Symposium 4: Learning Networks for Professional Development: Current Research Approaches and Future Trends

Symposium Introduction

Abstract

Learning networks are technology supported communities through which learners share knowledge with each other and jointly develop new knowledge (Sloep & Berlanga, 2011). This way, learning networks enrich the experience of continuous professional development and lifelong learning. Examples of learning networks for professional development are communities of employees who want to improve customer services, lawyers who want exchange knowledge and experience, and communities of teachers who exchange their experiences and seek for collaboration.

Learning networks that support activities for educational professionals is enjoying increasing interest, see for instance Cloudworks , Tapped-In, or eTwinning . However, the full potential and added value of these networks could be maximised if new frameworks, tools and techniques would be developed (Schlager, et al., 2009).