Tarmo Toikkanen's List: Publications by Tarmo Toikkanen

Studying networked learning (NL) by applying social network analysis (SNA) has gained popularity in recent years. However, it appears that in the context of NL the choice of SNA indices is very often dictated by using easily achievable SNA tools. Most studies in this field only involve a single group of students and utilise simple indices, such as density and Freeman's degree centrality. This study uses data collected from 23 groups of pupils and correlates various SNA indices with the pupils' experiences of the learning process, thus identifying SNA indices that actually relate to the experiences of a learning process. The results show that density is not very useful in studying NL, and Freeman's degree centrality is meaningful only in certain cases. Further, the study points out several potentially better suited indices for use in further studies of NL.

Unlike many OER repositories that have authoritative content, LeMill relies on grassroots activity to get new content. All resources are created and edited by volunteer teachers and content authors. The success of LeMill shows that a grassroots OER repository can grow to be so valuable that it attracts new members and new resources by itself. The technology behind the community is not spectacularly ground-breaking, but the extensive design and simplicity are what make LeMill different from most other OER repositories.

As a premise, this article claims that it is the emergence of simple enough tools that allow fundamental changes in people's behaviour. Based on the experiences of developing LeMill, the most critical design recommendation for an OER repository is to involve actual teachers throughout the development project. Teacher feedback must be accepted at all times, although it should not be taken at face value.

As a closing of this paper, we describe an innovative “trinary economy” business model for OER repositories which involves teachers, educational administration and text book publishers.

"Social media is creating a cultural change which is much more than just a change in the use of web services. Public conversations, sharing, and knowledge building between people enabled by network technologies – also known as social media – brings challenges everywhere and especially within universities."

"I detta material har sammanställts information och tips för alla som söker nya arbetsformer och nya former för lärande. Till presentationen har valts sociala mediers webbtjänster och tillämpningsprogram som i praktiken visat sig fungera bra."