Emerging Trends in the Development of School Networking Initiatives

Abstract

This collection of research and case studies provides snapshots of developments in school networking in seven regions of the world. Schoolnets can be defined as the entities that facilitate collaboration among schools and that use information and communications technologies (ICTs) for this and other educational purposes. Recent developments in ICTs (especially computers and Internet-related technologies) and their application to education and training have increasingly allowed learners to access information and knowledge from different sources. In many countries schoolnets as an organised entity do not exist, but the activities generally associated with school networking are being carried out. In the developed world, the school component of the education and training system has made massive strides to ensure that all learners have access to technology and information. In the developing world, access is much more difficult due to limitations with the technology and infrastructure and lack of good information resources and skilled teachers. Schoolnets in developing countries have also been driven by the need to support the attainment of quality education at both the primary and secondary levels of education. This book focuses on the variety of school networking models that have emerged in different regions and the resulting trends and issues that need to be considered in terms of supporting the learning, teaching, management and teacher training processes. Both policy-makers and educators will find this book useful. // Series formerly called "Perspectives on Teacher Education." Renamed to "Perspectives on Open and Distance Learning."