Understanding Learning Networks
PowerPoint slides and MP3 audio from Stephen Downes‘ talk in Spain on learning networks. While covering some of the topics common to his my recent discussions he contrasts his position to that offered by Rob Koper.
Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication (JCMC)
This morning I came across a call for proposals for the Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication (JCMC). While this journal has been around since 1995 and is dedicated to social science research on computer-mediated communication via the Internet, the World Wide Web, and wireless technologies, this is the first I had come across it. I’m looking forward to searching through its archives as I continue to flesh out my lit review.
The new pedagogy of open content: bringing together production, knowledge and learning
This 15 minute multimedia presentation by Graham Attwell addresses theories and issues concerned with open content and open educational resources
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Design ideas from social networking sites?
Rick West makes some great points in this posting concerning the appeal of social networking sites, especially for young adults in contrast to the struggles that are often inherent in cultivating engaging and constructive asynchronous discussion. The major difference that I see between social networking sites utilizing Web 2.0 technology and traditional asynchronous discussion boards in closed learning management system (LMS) is the where the locus of control lies.
Rick asks, “Can we engineer better educational online communities by copying ideas from informal and commercial communities?” I think the answer is obviously yes….by placing the control for the creation of learning communities on the students. In the typical learning management system, the instructor has control over the creation of communication environments and the students contribute on the terms of the instructor. Rather, social networking software puts the author in total control.
Secondly, I see ease of access as another powerful component of all popular social networking software today. Communication isn’t restricted to only the members of the learning community but rather the author can decide who s/he wants to have access to their thoughts and ideas. Solutions like Elgg allow for students to not only control who has access to their ideas but also the ability to invite others to subscribe to their ideas, forming organic communities of inquiry. Again…the control lies with the students rather than the instructor.
Rick cited a couple of articles (below) that I’m looking forward to taking a closer peek at.
References:
Hewitt, J. (2005). Toward an understanding of how threads die in asynchronous computer conferences. Journal of the Learning Sciences, 14(4), 567-589.
McPherson, K. (2006). Whose space is it, anyway? Mercury News. Accessed 13 Mar 2006 from http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/business/technology/13840568.htm.
Van der Meijden, H. & Veenman, S. (2005). Face-to-face versus computer-mediated communication in a primary school setting. Computers in Human Behavior, 21(5), 831-859.
Found Flock
This morning while getting caught-up on the various RSS news feeds & blogs that I read, I found across several different bloggers discussing the merits of the social web browser Flock. I of course had to download a copy and give it a try for myself. I was immediately impressed! Having been built on Mozilla technology, it functions in many ways similar to Firefox but with many enhancements, leveraging many other Web 2.0 technologies such as social bookmarking and photo sharing with tools like flickr and del.icio.us. I’m hoping that CiteULike will come out with a plugin that enables for easy access to my online research library of articles.
