ABSTRACT

The main question of this book was: How can open world learning supported by technology help and/or hinder tackling the global challenges that open and high-quality education faces? First, this book has provided a number of integrated and cohesive perspectives on the affordances and limitations of open world learning. The eighteen chapters have explored a range of research communities to address these global challenges. Second, this book has provided in-depth analyses of the (potential) benefits and limitations of open world learning by bringing together insights from 387,134 learners and educators learning and working in 136 unique learning contexts across the globe. Third, this book has brought together a range of innovative uses of technology in open world learning and an array of interlinked research methodologies to understand how open world learning can be effectively used. The two main lessons from this book are (1) technology is not neutral; (2) open world learning is not necessarily open for everyone. We end this book with providing practical advice on how you as learner, educator, researcher, or manager can benefit from the powers of open world learning.