Managing Institutional Change for Networked Learning: A Multi-Stakeholder Approach

Abstract

This chapter describes a survey of the views held by university stakeholders as to the readiness of their university for implementing networked learning. Stakeholders included members of the university’s Networked Learning Strategy Group and further representatives from academic, management and support staff. A number of factors relevant to a discussion as to the readiness of an institution for implementing networked learning are identified. These factors include stakeholders’ understandings of networked learning, their opinions of the current situation at the university with regard to the implementation of networked learning, their visions for the development of networked learning, and enabling and constraining factors that affect the realizations of those visions. Stakeholders ’ individual views are presented along with an interpretation of the shared response by each group to each of the factors mentioned. An evaluation of the university’s current readiness for implementing networked learning is presented. It is considered that the university’s readiness to implement networked learning is at an early stage. Networked learning is practised within the university but conducted in the main by interested but isolated individuals with little central support. In conclusion it is suggested that if the university wishes to engage in the development of networked learning further emphasis needs to be placed on the internal infrastructure within the university that supports the delivery of networked learning and on collaboration with external agencies. Such external collaboration is considered to be not only national but also international.