Symposium 1: Student led Network learning design

Abstract

In this paper we argue that technology and modes of learning work together, the one dynamically influencing the other. In a number of ways, the medium is the pedagogy. We see this as an important point which contradicts a popular notion among education developers that pedagogy must lead the technology. In particular, we argue for the need to be apace with the ways in which the present generation of students are constituted as learners through technology. We urge an acknowledgement of the distinctiveness of this generation accordingly. In particular, we propose that the technical expertise and the novel modes of learning which are characteristic of this generation offer radical possibilities for network learning. In making this proposal, we suggest a reconfiguration of technical support and curriculum design in order to foreground students’ expertise with technology and to acknowledge its constitutive role in their formation as learners.

The reconfiguration we propose is that we make three, 180 degree changes to the power axes of e-learning as it is currently offered, namely: (i) the choice and development of whatever technologies are used to support the varied, serendipitous, and as yet unpredicted and unpredictable rich potentials of e-learning can be made by learners; (ii) this choice can be from common, freely available, student understood technologies which are in the public domain and (iii) the creation of network learning can be done by students in partnership with academics. We report below on our current action research which explores whether the reconfigurations we propose will strengthen the network learning manifesto aspirations to soften the power of teachers and to position students as co-producers of knowledge.