Tweaking eLearning…
There is no doubt that shifts in learning paradigms follow technological advances.
The Education sector always thinks of ways to use technology to enhance learning experiences, learning through experiencing. Instructional Technology has evolved since PLATO (see Instrucional Technology Timeline even though some of the futuristic predictions might be a little “off” they are right “on” on some concepts).
What we need to realize is that adopting technology for technology’s sake is not the solution. We have to identify problems, then figure out how (and what) technology can help solve those problems.
As far as learning is concerned the new phase of the Web (Web 2.0) is promising. Dynamic Web applications that promote collective intelligence can b applied in many ways to promote “social learning”.
eLearning the way we know it now seems to mimic flawed traditional classroom techniques and tool (drilling, repetition, page turners, passive learning and so on). We have to think of the future of eLearning and how new technologies can help us tweak this system that obviously isn’t working as well as it could.
The new phase of the Web brings new hope for eLearning as it it makes it possible for the creation of more modular, social, immersive learning experiences.
While some people like Paul Graham don’t seem to like the term “Web 2.0”, most people recognize the potential of this new breed of applications that use the Web as a platform has for businesses, education, etc.
As we develop eLearning experiences we need to think outside the box. Learn from our mistakes, adopt new EFFECTIVE technology and shift our focus to the learner. Why do eLearning providers keep replicating flawed models and bringing bad experiences to the online environment? More people need to realize the value of this phase of the Web and apply it in eLearning…
Tony Karrer has been raising some very interesting questions about eLearning 2.0 on hos blog. His perception of the potential of Web 2.0 in Education is one that I wish more people shared.
