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Evolution of Web = Evolution of Learning
Technology creates new and exciting ways of learning. With Web 2.0 technology at our fingertips we can redefine how we learn and teach online. What web 2.0 has allowed us to do is to generate user-contributed content. Pratt & Palov (2011). The other thing, they continue, that web 2.0 allowed for is more collaboration between users, because the ‘pipe size’ is bigger, the information travels much more quickly.
The evolution of Web correlated with the evolution of learning. From “Read-Only” Web 0.0 where the average internet user’s role was limited to reading the information which was presented to them to ‘Read-Write-Publish’ Web 2.0 where the user is given the ability to contribute content and interact with other web users (Tom Fleerackers, 2011). As we observe in education a shift from traditional classroom setting with the instructor in the center ‘Talking Head’ to the online learning where the roles shift and learners receive more autonomy and responsibilities ‘Online Learning Community’.
Thou shalt not use technology in vain
Pratt & Palov (2011) warn us against incorporating technology just because its available, it should meet the objectives of your course. Technology should not be used to do what can be done without it, adds (Kathy Cassidy, 2013). Drawing a picture on an app or a computer program and labeling it is a worthwhile activity, but why bother if that activity is an end in itself? It may as well have been done on paper. Technology should allow you to do something new with that picture, such as sharing/publishing it in some way.
Technology aka Fairy Godmother
Technology should be for accessing what was inaccessible (Kathy Cassidy, 2013). In the past, she says, her teaching materials were limited to what was in her classroom and in the school’s library. Now there are a plethora of materials available online to fill any teaching need we might have, limited only by our online search skills.
Choices. Choices.
As a designer for my online school’s programs I have been actively using a range of Web 2.0 tools:
Blogs (to post new tasks to videos students are required to watch or educational games they play as part of their program);
Youtube and other free video hosting sites (to stream videos students watch as part of their learning process);
Educational Flash games;
Skype (for conducting online lessons)
Google Docs (used as collaboration space and play the role of a traditional copybook and blackboard at the same time);
New Kind of Wealth
Rheingold (2005) in his Ted talk The new power of collaboration talks about how new forms of communication and new media in the past have helped create new economic forms. Commerce is ancient. Markets are very old. Capitalism is fairly recent; socialism emerged as a reaction to that. And yet, he says, we see very little talk about how the next form may be emerging. Rheingold (2005) speaks of open source, pointing to a new form of production: peer-to-peer production. He asks us to keep in mind that if in the past, new forms of cooperation enabled by new technologies create new forms of wealth, we may be moving into yet another economic form that is significantly different from previous ones. Sites like Amazon, eBay, Google enrich themselves by enriching thousands of users. I am personally very excited about being able to introduce my students to the full potential of the Web 2.0: using Open Courses like Khan Academy to acquire other skills through using English. The mighty Open Course was enabled by Web 2.0 technology and it is here to stay and create new kind of wealth. Wealth of information, collaboration and learning.
References:
Cassidy, K. 2011. The Use and Abuse of Technology in the Classroom [Blog] Retrieved from http://kathycassidy.com/2013/01/05/the-use-and-abuse-of-technology-in-the-classroom/
Fleerackers, T. 2011. Web 1.0 vs Web 2.0 vs Web 3.0 vs Web 4.0 vs Web 5.0 – A bird’s eye on the evolution and definition. [Blog] Retrieved from https://flatworldbusiness.wordpress.com/flat-education/previously/web-1-0-vs-web-2-0-vs-web-3-0-a-bird-eye-on-the-definition/
Howard Rheingold. 2005. The new power of colloboration. Ted talk. [Video] Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/talks/howard_rheingold_on_collaboration/transcript?language=en#t-699000
Video: Laureate Education (Producer). (2010). Launching the online learning experience [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu
Hi Yulia,
ReplyDeleteI loved the approach you took to the Web 2.0 tools and the options available in education. The paradigm is shifting and it is wonderful that teachers can use more tools to support their content matter and make learning more immediate and tangible to students.
I loved the TED Talks episode as well. I have been amazed at the power of social media to connect us all to the many events around the world. To be able to witness protests, natural emergencies like earth quakes or tsunamis, or other international events so quickly and with so much immediacy, the world is different and we are all so much closer together.
The challenge is to find the best use of this richness in the classroom to make it real and meaningful to all students. What I love about distance learning is our classroom is world-wide; as you and I demonstrate. We are on different sides of the ocean and in different countries, but we can share and we can learn. I loved all the pieces you pulled together for this blog. Your viewpoint offers such an exciting view of what's to come. Great blog, Yulia!
Mary
Thank you dear Mary, your positivity is catching :)
DeleteIt is true that Internet tools hold power. But we still have Russia and North Korea who restrict their people's access to those and block the truth with propaganda. Did you know that every average Russian person believes in a conspiracy of the West against them? Even my own mom and dad are deluded, though they travel and talk to me all the time. Web 2.0 or 3.0 or 4.0 but Ego is still Ego and people are still people.
There is a shift in the paradigm though, more and more people become conscious and aware and selfless and education reflects it well with the arising theories such as Connectivism.