Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book presents the Arena as a theoretical framework and articulates ways in which it can be applied. Illustrative case studies of K-12 schools, universities, and organizations that provide software and other services aim to guide readers to interpret change in their own contexts. The book introduces and explains relevant concepts and terms from the field of ecology because the Arena's conceptualization is based in human ecology. It reviews the adoption of digital tools for quality learning in a range of disciplines, each framed within educational technology standards promoted by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) for K-12 education. The book focuses on to contrast two professional development models that rapidly developed in the UK around 2002 to scale up the information and communication technologies (ICT) professional development of teachers nationwide.