elearning reflections

I found the difference and similarities in articles written by Seely  ans Seely and Adler very interesting. There was definitely a feeling that the 1999 article was dated compared to the second article but the 1999 article was very exciting for its time – a new horizon.

The main change that I detected from the first article to the second was that of the teachnology available in Web 1 and Web 2 and the role of such teachnology in the lives of learners. It seems that web 1’s function was much more aimed at the information/knowledge needs of individuals who used the web as a tool to gain further knowledge in the Cartesian understanding of learning – it facilitated explicit learning as opposed to learning to be.

Web 2 on the other hand is more able to support relationships and participation – through communities of practice learners learn by acting/participating/being part of a social network of learners. I like the ability of web 2 to support more experiential ways of learning and therefore thin that it has more capacity for transformation.

I think that there will be a gradual increase in the interest and use of the ideas put forward by Seely Brown & Adler (2008) as the use of virtual spaces and relationships for learning become more prominent – this is highlighted by the existing projects such as Terra Incognita and Decameron. I think this will increase with time as we become more familiar with the technology and new ways of learning, as well as generational demands. Also the more opportunities we have to experience and evaluate these spaces the more we will take them as possibilities.

I see the following challenges to the ideas proposed by Seely Brown & Adler (2008):

• fear of the unknown/unfamiliar
• lack of technological literacy
• lack of resources – time, cost, etc
• preference for f2f learning
• unknown rules for participation
• issues around facilitation and leadership

I can see these developments being applied in my workplace where the university increasingly relies on electronic and web based forms of communication and knowledge sharing. We have U-Tube clips on our home page and we use a range of visual and audio aids as part of online learning systems. Within my work with general staff, I adminitrate an online course on equal opportunity which as been designed by another university and one which I would like to expand and improve but lack of expertise and resources impedes this development.

I found the articles very exciting and inspirational to explore new ways of learning and being part of community.

Tags: elearning technology, web 1, web 2

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