Introduction

Learning in Networks of Knowledge is a new paradigm for higher education, based on the changing nature and form of knowledge work in contemporary digital networked conditions. The LINK site explores and supports this knowledge – network – learning approach. LINK contains dozens of ideas about teaching and learning via the Internet, as well as tools (freely available web-based applications) that you can use.

While throughout the site the term “web 2.0″ is used to describe the underlying cultural and technologies conditions which support knowledge networking, this site simply uses the term as a short-hand for these conditions. There are many other ways of thinking about the technologies and tools and how people use them. What is more important is the knowledge networking potential which so-called Web 2.0 applications both express, through their design, and also support, in their use.

Site summary

Concepts: exploring some ideas about knowledge networking, Web 2.0, pedagogy and their interrelationship.

Practicalities: practical tips to make it easier to know where to start in applying knowledge networking via Web 2.0 applications.

Tools: a list of 50 carefully selected and analysed tools that are the best place to start.

Examples: detailed information on knowledge networking approaches to learning in the Internet Communications course at Curtin University.

Resources: links to papers, presentations and other useful material (including research and other writing emanating from LINK).

Updates: an occasional blog that reports on developments after the site was constructed (May 2011) and signals changes to the main site.

Three important aspects of this site

1. LINK is the outcome of a Teaching Fellowship project undertaken by Matthew Allen, supported by the Australian Learning and Teaching Council between 2009 and 2010
2. The site is eclectic and direct in its style: this site is scholarly in its foundations, but does not take the place of the academic papers already and still being written in this field – in some ways LINK attempts to model some of the newer, more direct forms of knowledge work which increasingly are part of academic life.
3. Your comments and feedback are important and welcome: in particular, ideas that you wish to critique should be critiqued; tools that you use and can provide advice or commentary on their practical application – please do so.