Workshop “Leading Networks: Facilitation, Knowledge and Learning” On the Learning Networks and Learning within Networks Initiative conducted by the Omar Dengo Foundation GK3 Parallel Event Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia December 9-10, 2007 Melania Brenes Eduardo Monge Omar Dengo Foundation Costa Rica

Outline Omar Dengo Foundation Learning Networks and Learning within Network Environments (RaaR) RaaR`s Event / Nov What`s next?

Omar Dengo Foundation Education, Technology and Development A private, non-profit organization based in Costa Rica Has led the introduction of digital technologies in the country as resources to foster learning, thinking and creativity and to create development opportunities and social mobility  Educational informatics in public schools  Research and development projects in Costa Rica and the LAC region

ODF`s Area of Cognition, Creativity and Digital Media On-line Learning On-line Learning Cognition Creativity Digital Media Processes and Learning experiences / Learning Environments Mobile Devices Mobile Devices Learning Networks Learning Networks Robotics and Learning by design Robotics and Learning by design Programming Thinking and Visible Learning Thinking and Visible Learning Thinking Development Nature of Learning Models, methodologies, proposals and tools

Why Learning Networks and Learning within Network Environments (RaaR)? “Redes de Aprendizaje y Aprendizaje en Red” (RaaR) What are people learning in networks and how are they learning in networks? It is a dispersed topic that has not been deeply studied There is still not enough information to answer these questions

Research Questions What is a network and what isn`t ? How is learning produced in a network? Which and what kind of learning is constructed in networks? What are the conditions and characteristics of efective learning networks? What is the impact of learning networks in current society?

International Forum on Learning Networks and Learning within Network Environments San Jose, Costa Rica November 1-2, 2007 Web site:

Our Goals Opening an international discussion around what people are learning and how people learn in networks Generation of collaboration/partnership routes and specific group-work among networks Dissemination and publication of results and active knowledge-sharing efforts

Networks 48 participants 24 networks Central and South America 12 GKP members 13 non-GKP members Health Agriculture Education RaaR Ecology Tourism Social Development

Discussion & Sharing Priority to the spaces for discussing and sharing learning experiences between participants Keynote addresses and panels Focus groups Exchange sessions among networks (One to One sessions)

John Connell*…a unique symposiun “The Forum on Learning Networks, … is a small-scale symposium…the discourse being generated by this intense “learn- in” is deep and broad and engrossing in a way that I have not heard before in a single event.” *RaaR`s keynote Speaker, Education Business Development Manager, Emerging Markets, Cisco Systems “Everyone here is well aware of the criticality of the technology base for network learning, but equally no one is really talking about technology, other than in the context of the abiding need across this region to extend access to a greater and greater proportion of their countries’ populations.”

Topics and discussions FIRST SESION. Learning in Networks: The role of learning and technology in individual and social productivity in today`s society Presentation 1 Learning in Network Environments: The Role of Learning &Technology with Individual and Social Productivity Panel 1 What is the nature of the learning being produced in networks? Red ALFORJA, Costa Rica: Networked work : weaving complexities and strengths Instituto de Medicina Topical, Alexander Von Humbolt: Health and Youth Argentinean Association of Regional Agricultural Experimentation Centers (AACREA): What is the nature of the learning that is produced in networks? Examples from practice.

Second Session Learning Networks: The power of Collaboration, the Learning Distribution and social interaction Presentation 2 The Power of Learning in a Networked World Panel 2 Learning to collaborate & collaboration in networks: lessons from the practice. Fundación Chasquinet, Ecuador,: Above all, networks are human. Rural Youth Networks, Costa Rica. Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral (ESPOL): Latin-American Network of Educational Technology.

1. Above all: “social networks” 2. Digital technologies invigorate and expand the possibilities of communication and exchange in networks 3. There are different kinds of networks and diverse kinds of learning 4. Links/Connections are made of common interests and objectives 5. A network is an “organic” entity. 6. The development of networks is based on people values. Main Ideas

7. In some networks, it is possible to describe how learning is taking place only if conditions were previously designed for this purpose. 8. It is possible and necessary to analyze learning in networks but also learning about the network itself. 9. In a network, conditions for inclusion have to be intentionally incorporated from the beginning. 10. Networks need to identify which structures favor sustainability and promotion through practice. 11. The sense of participation in networks is developed by the idea that “others know something that they can teach me, and I know something that others can learn from me”. Main Ideas

What`s next? Actions –Continue discussion at an online forum at: –Complete the networks` inventory –Publish a document of lessons learned and research findings –Holding a 2nd International Forum in 2008 Forum`s participants indicated interest in participating in events related to networks and : –Governability –Sustainability –Finances –Development –Connectivity –Mediation –Intellectual property –Research –Assessment and self-evaluation