ABSTRACT

Ecologies for Learning and Practice provides the first systematic account of the ideas of learning ecologies and ecologies of practice and locates the two concepts within the context of our contemporary world. It focuses on how individuals and society are being presented with all manner of learning challenges arising from fluidities and disruptions, which extend across all domains of life. This book examines emerging ways of understanding and living purposively in these new fluidities and provides fresh perspectives on the way we learn and achieve in such dynamic contexts.

Providing an insight into the research of a range of internationally renowned contributors, this book explores diverse topics from the higher education and adult learning worlds. These include:

  • The challenges faced by education systems today
  • The concept of ecologies for learning and practice
  • The role and responsibility of higher education institutions in advancing ecological approaches to learning
  • The different eco-social systems of the world—local and global, economic, cultural, practical, technological, and ethical
  • How adult learners might create and manage their own ecologies for learning and practice in order to sustain themselves and flourish

With its proposals for individual and institutional learning in the 21st century and concerns for our sustainability in a fragile world, Ecologies for Learning and Practice is an essential guide for all who seek to encourage and facilitate learning in a world that is fundamentally ecological in nature.

chapter 1|16 pages

Introduction

Steps to ecologies for learning and practice
ByNorman Jackson, Ronald Barnett

part 171|2 pages

Towards ecologies for learning and practice

chapter 2|13 pages

Animating Systems

The ecological value of Bronfenbrenner's bioecological model of development
ByLeah O'Toole, Nóirín Hayes, Ann Marie Halpenny

chapter 3|14 pages

Weaving Ecologies for Learning

Engaging imagination in place-based education
ByGillian Judson

chapter 4|15 pages

Learning Ecologies

Liminal states and student transformation
ByMaggi Savin-Baden

chapter 5|18 pages

Sustainability-Oriented Ecologies of Learning

A response to systemic global dysfunction
ByArjen E.J. Wals

part 792|2 pages

Advancing ecologies for learning and practice in higher education

chapter 6|16 pages

Ecologies for Learning and Practice in Higher Education Ecosystems

ByNorman J. Jackson

chapter 7|15 pages

Ecological Thinking About Education Strategy in Universities

ByPeter Goodyear, Robert A. Ellis

chapter 8|17 pages

Education and Innovation Ecotones

ByAnn Pendleton-Jullian

chapter 9|17 pages

Ecosystem Empowerment

Unlocking human potential through value creation
BySasha Barab, Anna Arici, Earl Aguilera, Kathryn Dutchin

chapter 10|15 pages

Building Doctoral Ecologies and Ecological Curricula

Sprawling spaces for learning in researcher education
BySøren S.E. Bengtsen

part 1613|2 pages

Ecologies for learning and practice in the world

chapter 11|14 pages

Learning Ecologies at Work

ByKaren Evans

chapter 12|16 pages

From Learning Ecologies to Ecologies for Creative Practice

ByNorman Jackson

chapter 13|18 pages

Learning in the Cat's Cradle

Weaving learning ecologies in the city
ByKeri Facer, Magdalena Buchczyk, Liz Bishop, Helen Bolton, Zehra Haq, Jackie Gilbert, Gideon Thomas, Jessica Tomico, Xiujuan Wang

chapter 14|12 pages

Society as a Learning Ecology

Glimpsed and now disappearing?
ByRonald Barnett

chapter |7 pages

Epilogue

Practice seldom makes perfect but …
ByRonald Barnett, Norman Jackson