How can networks support the professional learning of teachers?

1. How can networks support the professional learning of teachers? Mary James, Robert McCormick & Alison Fox

2. Research question • Investigate how educational networks, including electronic networks, can support the creation, management and transfer of the knowledge and skills of learning how to learn

3. What is a network? The systematic establishment and use (management) of internal and external links (communication, interaction, and co-ordination) between people, teams or organisations (“nodes”) in order to improve performance. (van Aalst, 2003) In other words nodes and links (with ‘traffic’)

4. Learning v networks • When considering learning then AM & PM are models • However, also knowledge creation & sharing • No experts at least on practice • No curriculum for professionals • Generating new knowledge.

5. Network theories Electronic map Electronic networks Information map WWW page search Ego analysis Social Network Analysis (SNA) Complete analysis Actor map

6. Complete SNA

8. Mapping tool • Task:Show how you visualise the networks your school/LA/VEAZ are involved in. Show with whom all communications are made involving the organisation and how they are made.

12. Analysis • Nodes: • Number and type • Representation • proximity • Links • Number and type • Structure

13. Nodes

14. Insights of network theory • Different views of broker • Distinction between weak and strong links • Importance of informal links

15. Brokers and brokerage • Wenger notion based on ‘learning’: • mediates two communities as interpreter • Burt notion based on networks: • bridge or bridge builder

16. Informal links • Intensional networks • Creating, managing and activating networks • Social contagion • Knotworks • Affiliation networks • Embedded links

19. Networks provide new insights into teacher ‘learning’