Group Leadership in Online Collaborative Learning

The innovations in computer and communications technologies combined with on-going needs to deliver educational programs to students regardless of their physical locations, have lead to the innovation of distance education programs and technologies. To keep up with recent developments in both areas of technologies and techniques related to distance education programs, educators, administrators, and researchers are in constant needs of learning about issues, solutions, and challenges of these technologies. The Encyclopedia of Distance Learning offers the most comprehensive coverage of the issues, concepts, trends, and technologies of distance learning. With more than 2,000 terms and definitions and over 6,000 additional references, this authoritative 4-volume encyclopedia is considered the foremost reference source for the latest understanding, discoveries, and research in the field of distance learning

Instituto Inspirare

The primary purpose of information technology case studies is to illuminate specific applications of technology for actors in a given situation or setting – in this case, family philanthropy seeking to address significant issues of access, quality, and support in Brazil’s public schools. Founded by the Gradin family in 2011, Instituto Inspirare recognizes that education is fundamentally unequal among Brazilian students, a state of affairs that has served to reproduce inequities intergenerationally. In order to address the disparities that exist in education quality between Brazil’s public schools and their private, wealthy counterparts. Instituto Inspirare tackles the fundamental issue of access to innovation through a series of online platforms for constructive dialogue between the Brazilian public education system’s most direct stakeholders – teachers and students – and supports building effective, impactful curricula. The ease of distribution of Internet-based platforms enables an increasing number of Brazilians to engage in conversations and collaborate on ways to improve the country’s public education system. The purpose of this case study is to provide in-depth understanding of Instituto Inspirare’s most impactful strategies to inform mission, policy, program development, professional practice, and community action. The study utilizes a computer science principle – the scalability of software – to demonstrate how adopting basic internet presence can spark innovation. Instituto Inspirare’s online-centered strategy applies the theory of digital scalability to successfully engage key stakeholders in education reform. By connecting ideators and idea-seekers in a range of digital formats, Inspirare yields positive innovations to diffuse throughout Brazil’s education system and is making a much-needed contribution to the field

Human Factors and Innovation with Mobile Devices

Advancements in technology are a significant driving force in educational innovation, but a strong focus on technology means that human aspects and implications may not be given the attention they deserve. This chapter examines usability issues surrounding the use of mobile devices in learning. A key aim is to empower educators and learners to take control of personal devices and realise their potential in relation to teaching and learning. The background section reviews the development of usability studies and explores why mobile device usability presents specific new challenges. The impact of changing requirements in education, and new visions for ways of thinking and competences that learners should be acquiring, are also examined. Finally, the chapter provides a set of concepts that can inform conversations between educators and learners, mobile system engineers, developers, support staff, and others