Teaching in a Networked Classroom

The pace of technological change has made the immediate and long-term future difficult, if not impossible, to predict. Teachers are forced to imagine the world they are preparing their students to live in. In this situation creativity becomes a vital resource for enabling uncertain futures to be embraced and an important attribute for students to have both for their learning and their employability in the future.

In this book, the authors argue that creativity is a social and collaborative process that can be enhanced through online and digital technologies. Filled with case studies and practical tasks, it shows teachers how they can develop an approach to teaching and learning with digital technologies that is inherently social, collaborative and creative. Including case studies and practical examples of projects and lessons throughout, the chapters cover:

• Learning in a networked society
• An examination of sharing practices and how knowledge can be shared more effectively
• Potential pitfalls of virtual learning environments and public social networking sites
• Using digital media to plan schemes of work and lessons
• How to facilitate meaningful collaboration and discussion through digital media
• Creating online environments to enable students to share their understandings and learning

Bringing together key ideas about creativity, collaborative learning and ICT in the classroom, this timely book will be an invaluable resource for all teachers.

Jonathan Savage is a Reader in Education at the Institute of Education, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK. He is also Managing Directer of UCan Play, a company that supports the innovative use of technology in education.

Clive McGoun is a Senior Lecturer in Communication at Manchester Metropolitan University, UK.