After researching social networking for our recent assignment, I thought it would be interesting to take a look at how the technology is being accepted in the education world. Many people think that social networking will enhance the learning environment and others think it will just be another distraction. I found an interesting debate, from 2008, hosted online by The Economist. The link to the arguments can be found here.
The proposer, Ewan McIntosh, believes that social networking is already allowing learners to become more communicative and world-aware. One of his main arguments is that students these days are used to using this technology on a daily basis and are likely to be less engaged in traditional classroom teaching methods.
On the other side of the argument Dr. Michael Bugeja thinks that social media has a number of issues that have not been addressed including privacy concerns, costs to students and schools, and corporate motives of social network sites.
63% of the people that followed the debate voted in favor of social networking. In my opinion, I think that the technology does offer many plausible applications. For example, The Flat Classroom Project is custom social network created by educators, using Ning, for in class and homework assignments. What is your opinion on the matter? Do you believe social networking has a place in the classroom?
Monday, June 21, 2010
Monday, June 7, 2010
Top Ten e-learning trends
I recently read an article from WorldWideLearn.com about the top ten e-learning trends. As e-learning becomes a more and more popular outlet for training due to falling cost I think that it is important to keep up with current trends. By doing this one can learn about and implement the ever increasing uses of e-learning. Below is a short outline of the trends discussed in the article, that can be found here. For each of these trends the article has some great links.
1 Application service providers are offering more quick start options. This allows companies and other learning institutions the option of using an already available solution instead of creating a program from scratch. This greatly reduces the amount of time and money it takes to create a learning program.
2. Companies are integrating e-learning into their infrastructure. As the use of company intranets is increasing they are realizing that it is very easy to also implement e-learning through these systems.
3. Churning skill sets require e-learning initiatives. Due to the fact that many job descriptions and tasks are changing quickly in today's work environment it is, in some cases, more effective to use e-learning compared to a traditional classroom setting.
4. E-learning cuts the cost of high quality content. By using e-learning it is cheaper to gain access to material from otherwise expensive sources.
5. E-learning levels the professional playing field around the world. Since e-learning is not limited by geographic boundaries it is easy to learn any material in any location.
6. Gamers bring interactive skill to e-learning. By using video game technology, learners can participate in effective simulations. This can add a fun aspect to the learning.
7. Governments deploy e-learning on all levels. This is very useful for many things like teaching in rural schools, reducing costs for taxpayers, and helping with teacher shortages.
8. Partners and collaborators use e-learning to get everyone on the same page sooner. With the emergence of smaller, more focused companies engaged in many partnerships e-learning provides a way to keep everybody on the same page.
9. Wireless technology helps e-learning initiatives "cut the cord". Wireless is another technology that is allowing people to learn in anyplace at anytime.
10. E-learning Movers and Shakers. As the trend of e-learning grows so does the amount of people who produce material on the subject. Check out some of the people the article mentions as being leaders in this movement.
Which of these trends do you think has the most potential? Is there any other trends that you have found out about that are not on the list? Let me know.
1 Application service providers are offering more quick start options. This allows companies and other learning institutions the option of using an already available solution instead of creating a program from scratch. This greatly reduces the amount of time and money it takes to create a learning program.
2. Companies are integrating e-learning into their infrastructure. As the use of company intranets is increasing they are realizing that it is very easy to also implement e-learning through these systems.
3. Churning skill sets require e-learning initiatives. Due to the fact that many job descriptions and tasks are changing quickly in today's work environment it is, in some cases, more effective to use e-learning compared to a traditional classroom setting.
4. E-learning cuts the cost of high quality content. By using e-learning it is cheaper to gain access to material from otherwise expensive sources.
5. E-learning levels the professional playing field around the world. Since e-learning is not limited by geographic boundaries it is easy to learn any material in any location.
6. Gamers bring interactive skill to e-learning. By using video game technology, learners can participate in effective simulations. This can add a fun aspect to the learning.
7. Governments deploy e-learning on all levels. This is very useful for many things like teaching in rural schools, reducing costs for taxpayers, and helping with teacher shortages.
8. Partners and collaborators use e-learning to get everyone on the same page sooner. With the emergence of smaller, more focused companies engaged in many partnerships e-learning provides a way to keep everybody on the same page.
9. Wireless technology helps e-learning initiatives "cut the cord". Wireless is another technology that is allowing people to learn in anyplace at anytime.
10. E-learning Movers and Shakers. As the trend of e-learning grows so does the amount of people who produce material on the subject. Check out some of the people the article mentions as being leaders in this movement.
Which of these trends do you think has the most potential? Is there any other trends that you have found out about that are not on the list? Let me know.
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