Learning 2.0

Being a father of three teenagers gives me the opportunity to see all the technological tools and gadgets that they are being used to communicate, play and learn on a daily basis. The computer, phone, text messaging and chat rooms are just part of their daily routine. Their attitude is that they want things yesterday, and they always search for new channels and avenues to communicate. Generally speaking, new generation learners, or learners 2.0, always feel comfortable using new technological tools and Internet applications. For many reasons, they are very digitally oriented, and facile digital learners. They learn by seeing, and they expect to design, develop and create in the future.

The development in Internet applications, like the web 2.0 applications, and the spread and popularity of online education makes the Internet the resource to learn, expand and explore new knowledge. In their writing (Rockinson-Szapkiw & Walker, 2009) stated, “Web-based technologies, specifically Web 2.0 technologies, may afford educators the opportunity to simulate and enhance the strengths of highly interpersonal and interactive methods of face-to-face clinical skill instruction”.

The Internet makes us look like we are living in a flat world. It has already changed the way we communicate, share, and transfer files. Internet users always look for new tools to communicate and to learn, tools that are more stable, practical and collaborative. In her writing, Gordon-Murnan (2009) stated, “This vision of government wholeheartedly embraces Web 2.0 practices that encourage knowledge sharing, transparency, open standards, multiple approaches to problem solving, championing new ideas and innovations, and encouraging everyone to participate, share, and collaborate”.

Web 2.0 will definitely change how people look at Internet education and eLearning, as they break the limit of interactivity and allow smooth team working and collaborations. Furthermore, being able to share knowledge, skills and experience in a live educational environment will definitely speed up the process of learning and production. Moreover, while web 2.0 applications are collaboration applications, and while people from different backgrounds and different educational levels can use these tools, these can play a big role in stimulating the creative thinking of users and have them think and create and design things out of the box.

Mohamed Bahrani

References

Gordon-Murnane, Laura. (2009). Changing the Way Government Works With Web 2.0 Tools. Searcher, 17(7), 26-33. Retrieved on August 6th, 2009, from http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=10&hid=6&sid=23f72965-1e2c-4778-9ee4921fbd90dde0%40sessionmgr4&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=aph&AN=42870439

Rockinson-Szapkiw, Amanda J. & Walker, Victoria L. (2009). Web 2.0 Technologies: Facilitating Interaction in an Online Human Services Counseling Skills Course. Journal of Technology in Human Services, 27(3), 175-193. Retrieved on August 6^th, 2009, from http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=5&hid=103&sid=23f72965-1e2c-4778-9ee4921fbd90dde0%40sessionmgr4&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=aph&AN=43428815

Resources:

http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/e-learning_20.php