Can digital learning resources spur innovation?

Abstract

This chapter looks at the results of a study carried out in the five Nordic countries[i] that analysed recent developments in the area of digital learning resources (DLR) from the perspective of systemic innovation. Three different types of innovation are examined: government-initiated innovations; innovations initiated by commercial actors; bottom-up innovations (user-generated). The authors point out how technology makes the conditions for DLR innovation different from many other fields of education and present five embryonic scenarios illustrating the ways that DLR might be strengthened, promoted, developed and incorporated are presented. The chapter concludes with recommendations directed towards to the production and use of DLR, and to the more general issue of systemic innovation in education.