A discussion of the Emergent Learning Model as a "development framework" - for ELSE 2015

1. ELSE11, Bucharest, April 2015 @fredgarnett
Bilbao Bordeaux Lewisham Lisboa Pula
Emergent Learning Model

2. Emergent Learning Model
ELSE11, Bucharest, April 2015 @fredgarnett
• Background
• Open Context Model of Learning
• Development Frameworks
• Emergent Learning as development framework
• Emergent Learning & Bologna Process
• Elements of Emergent Learning
• Conclusions 1 - 4

3. Emergent Learning Model
ELSE11, Bucharest, April 2015 @fredgarnett
• Background…
• Emergent Learning Model an attempt to
apply Web2.0 participatory tools to learning
• Open Context Model of Learning is a
conceptual framework of pedagogies
• Learning as self-developed and self-managed
• Open up education systems to serendipities
of self-directed learning in various contexts
both within and beyond the classroom

4. Emergent Learning Model
ELSE11, Bucharest, April 2015 @fredgarnett
• Background…
• Bernie Dodge WebQuests 1994
• Q. “Is surfing learning?”
• A. New process; start point, end-point, rubric of
assessment, allowing learning serendipities
• Open context model interested in the
learning serendipities of Open Education,
OERs, Open Learn (OU)

5. Emergent Learning Model
ELSE11, Bucharest, April 2015 @fredgarnett
• Development Frameworks…
• However we realised that for innovation in
education to take advantage of the
potentials of emergence, interactivity and
resource abundance that are on offer in a
Web 2.0 world of learning, then we needed
to create a “development framework” to
help the design of education innovations
• Suggesting potential new practice…

6. Emergent Learning Model
ELSE11, Bucharest, April 2015 @fredgarnett
• Example of a Development Framework
• We designed EMFFE E-Maturity Framework
for FE (colleges)
• Supporting moves from known to unknown
• 5-stage model combining existing practice,
new practice, network affordances using e-
maturity levels
• Enabling “future design of educational
institutions based on strategic values”

7. Emergent Learning Model
ELSE11, Bucharest, April 2015 @fredgarnett
• ELM as a Development Framework…
• A key distinction of learning post web2.0 is
that we are now in an age of learning resource
abundance
• How do we design new educational practices
for a world of resource abundance?
• ELM helps with designing new educational
practice in new & traditional learning contexts
• Designing both for education & for learning

8. Emergent Learning Model
ELSE11, Bucharest, April 2015 @fredgarnett
• ELM and the Bologna Process
• Post-Bologna EU wanted to integrate formal
non-formal and formal learning
• However the EU made it sector-based
• We decided to make it learning-based
• Because our observation was post-Web2.0
informal learning drives formal learning!

10. Emergent Learning Model
ELSE11, Bucharest, April 2015 @fredgarnett
• Elements of Emergent Learning …
• Rethinking Informal Learning
• Focus on the social process that support
learning; i.e. role of People
• Not institutions or sector or policy
• “Informal Learning is the social processes
that support learning in any context”

11. Emergent Learning Model
ELSE11, Bucharest, April 2015 @fredgarnett
• Elements of Emergent Learning …
• Rethinking Non-formal Learning (Resources)
• Focus on the content that supports learning
(design for appropriation) OR
• Content-creation (or curation) that reflects
learning (Learner or User-generated)
• “Non-formal Learning is structured learning
resources without formal learning outcomes”

12. Emergent Learning Model
ELSE11, Bucharest, April 2015 @fredgarnett
• Elements of Emergent Learning …
• Rethinking Formal Learning
• Traditional focus on the institution with
little concern on what happened within;
concerned with Estates Management
• OR “it’s where the money is”
• “Formal Education (!) is the administration
& quality assurance of accreditation”

13. Conclusions 1 - 4
Bilbao Bordeaux Lewisham Lisboa Pula
Emergent Learning Model

14. Emergent Learning Model
ELSE11, Bucharest, April 2015 @fredgarnett
• Conclusions 1
• Although learning is emergent - that is it
reveals non-linear dynamic processes - ELM
does allow for the integration of informal
and formal approaches to learning
• ELM is really useful in designing informal yet
dynamic learning eco-systems

15. Emergent Learning Model
ELSE11, Bucharest, April 2015 @fredgarnett
• Conclusions 2
• In large-scale and dynamic projects, like
Ambient Learning City, it was found that ELM
was extremely useful in the planning stage of
learning design
• BUT! Implementation problems emerge which
require further development of original
techniques & processes, e.g. new metaphors &
new models (Aggregate then Curate)

16. Emergent Learning Model
ELSE11, Bucharest, April 2015 @fredgarnett
• Conclusions 3
• In small-scale and learner-centric projects, like
WikiQuals, ELM was also useful in the planning
stage but implementation problems developed
• As WikiQuals was small-scale & focussed around
people then it was important to establish an
(agreed) “set of social practices” (Serbu 2013)
around which it could be organised.

17. Emergent Learning Model
ELSE11, Bucharest, April 2015 @fredgarnett
• Conclusions 4
• Emergent Learning Model is a tool for the
design of learning which allows for emergent
properties to reveal themselves
• However there must always be a secondary
design phase to solve the new problems which
emerge in developing non-institutionalised
learning systems...

18. Emergent Learning Model
ELSE11, Bucharest, April 2015 Emergent Learning Model full paper
• Resources Used;
• What is Web 2.0?
• Bernie Dodge WebQuests
• Open Context Model of Learning
• Architecture of Participation (Development Frameworks)
• Emergent Learning Model (table)
• Emergent Learning Model (blog post)
• Ambient Learning City
• Aggregate then Curate paper
• WikiQuals / CROS Social Media Learning Models

19. ELSE11, Bucharest, April 2015 @fredgarnett
Bilbao Bordeaux Lewisham Lisboa Pula
Emergent Learning Model