Ecologies for Learning and Practice

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.

Ronald Barnett is Emeritus Professor of Higher Education, University College London, Institute of Education. Norman Jackson is Emeritus Professor, University of Surrey, and Founder of Lifewide Education.

List of figures List of tables List of contributors 1 Introduction: Steps to Ecologies for Learning and Practice Norman Jackson and Ronald Barnett PART 1 Towards Ecologies for Learning and Practice 2 Animating Systems: The Ecological Value of Bronfenbrenner's Bioecological Model of Development Leah O'Toole, Nóirín Hayes, and Ann Marie Halpenny 3 Weaving Ecologies for Learning: Engaging Imagination in Place-based Education Gillian Judson 4 Learning Ecologies: Liminal States and Student Transformation Maggi Savin-Baden 5 Sustainability-oriented Ecologies of Learning: A Response to Systemic Global Dysfunction Arjen E.J. Wals PART 2 Advancing Ecologies for Learning and Practice in Higher Education 6 Ecologies for Learning and Practice in Higher Education Ecosystems Norman Jackson 7 Ecological Thinking about Education Strategy in Universities Peter Goodyear and Robert A. Ellis 8 Education and Innovation Ecotones Ann Pendleton-Jullian 9 Ecosystem Empowerment: Unlocking Human Potential Through Value Creation Sasha Barab, Anna Arici, Earl Aguilera, and Kathryn Dutchin 10 Building Doctoral Ecologies and Ecological Curricula: Sprawling Spaces of Learning in Researcher Education Søren S.E. Bengtsen PART 3 Ecologies for Learning and Practice in the World 11 Learning Ecologies at Work Karen Evans 12 From Learning Ecologies to Ecologies for Creative Practice Norman Jackson 13 Learning in the Cat's Cradle: Weaving Learning Ecologies in the City Keri Facer, Magdalena Buchczyk, Liz Bishop, Helen Bolton, Zehra Haq, Jackie Gilbert, Gideon Thomas, Jessica Tomico, and Xiujuan Wang 14 Society as a Learning Ecology: Glimpsed and Now Disappearing? Ronald Barnett Epilogue : Practice seldom makes perfect but ... Ronald Barnett and Norman Jackson Index