This is a US study and a really interesting example of how to facilitate a networked learning experience. Watch the video and see how students construct a personal learning environments for the purpose of independent inquiry and the teacher’s role in supporting and facilitating this. The learning theory that is behind this approach to teaching and learning is called connectivism.
If you prefer you can read the article by Wendy Drexler from the Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 26(3), pp. 369-385, 2010.
I think this is a great example of how learners use technology and their personal learning network to learn about a topic and at the same time build their lifelong learning skills. It also hightlights the main role of the tutor really well. For more information on what connectivsm is all about see this link http://www.connectivism.ca/?p=122