Ready for Learning 2.0?
Web 2.0 Opens the Internet for New Ways to Learn
The conceptual Web 2.0 (today’s Internet characterized by Tim O’Reilly of O’Reilly Media in 2004 - oreillynet.com) has shaped entirely new worlds. Web 2.0 has changed the way we live and play from the virtual to the real world - including the world of education. This new web has created an effective new medium for education, training and professional development workshops.
Enter Learning 2.0. The new way everyone is using the Web – with its social interaction, collaboration, interconnectivity and immediacy – is shaping a new way to learn. All forms and levels of education have been affected including K-12, higher education, workforce and professional development, workshops and lifelong learners.
Learning Constraints Disappear
Learning 2.0 opens up educational opportunities beyond a specific time, learning place and geographical boundaries. In the traditional “old-school” format – learning has always taken place with one expert – the teacher – and those wanting to learn – the students at a designated time and place decided by the educational resource provider.
The new learning paradigm –Learning 2.0 – training can take place from home, from work or from the classroom and in the time frame convenient to the individual learner. Plus, because the participants connect to each other - everyone comes in as a learner- including the teacher - and everyone can be the expert by sharing their experiences and expertise.
Learning 2.0 Model of Learning
With this new learning model, technology is used to the max. Podcasts, web casts, video-on-demand (VOD), blogs, virtual worlds, social networking, wikis online classes, chat rooms, e-mail and photo slide show sharing. At the center of this model is Web 2.0 with its emerging social networking and collaboration environments, and the ability to interconnect software applications.
Unlimited Possibilities for Development and Implementation
How does the use of all of this technology contribute to much less enhance the learning experience? The possibilities are only limited by the human imagination. All of the technology can be used independently, in parts or all inclusive.
Uses can be as inexpensive and uncomplicated as recording podcasts explaining to employees of an insurance company about the latest medical insurance programs or retirement programs and then give detailed instructions on how to sell and support those policies.
Going all the way to the other end of the spectrum is the online college degree program. Most of the online degree programs use all of the technology during a multi-year educational program.
Explore Learning 2.0 by Learning Each Exciting Component
Learning 2.0, like Web 2.0, continues to evolve surprise and excite learners of all ages at all levels. It is the way learning will happen for the foreseeable future.
Exploring Learning 2.0 (for teachers and learners) starts with researching training and educaitonal uses for podcasting, social networking, distance learning and virutal learning. The learning experience garnered by these technologies is worth the time and effort.
