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Jones (2004a)
'Networks and learning: communities, practices and the metaphor
of networks'
Castells (2001) argues
that the internet facilitates not so much communities of practice as
'networked individualism' & that online communities depend on
existing off-line connections (p.82). [well he
would, wouldn't he...given that he never 'got' the Internet & the web in the first place!]
Network metaphor is not
neutral - may be part of a hegemonic discourse promoting a
managerialist agenda (p.82). [it says here] [means
stuff like assumptions UK becoming service/information economy,
'massification' of HE, etc.]
Mathematical modelling
of networks offers prospect of finding broad laws of networks
applicable in other fields (bio/soc) (p.82) eg 'small world
phenomena'/six degrees of separation (p.83). Networks are
'self-organising structures that lie somewhere between order and
chaos' (p.84).
Also links with
Rheingoldian vision which aligns more closely with situated learning
(Brown, Wenger, etc. (p.85).
'This emphasis on
collaboration and community stands in sharp contrast to the notion of
networked individualism identified as a characteristic of networked
society by Castells (1996, 2001)' (p.85) [yeah! Jones spots the problem!!!!]
Some have accused
Rheingold of 'romanticism' & point out that in education networks
are not democratic, as tutors/institutions hold power via assessment
processes (p.86). [this echoes Weller on need
for new forms of assessment, but also confirms deep difference
between formal & informal learning]
Nodded off a bit during
networked forms of governance, flow of policy initiatives...
Networked learning:
shift in early 90s from interacting with computers to
interacting through computers (p.88) & then to interaction
within networks: mobile/ubiquitous developments are pushing computer
itself into background (p.89). [Bet Castells hates that!]
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Debating whether to mention Castells in my EMA, just for old times' sake. Memory is an odd thing.
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