This Message Center is organized and operated by David Vitale These comments reflect on many of the ideas and topics discussed in sessions I attended at the Distance Teaching and Learning Conference.

How can trends in technology converge to address individual learner's needs worldwide?  Curt Bonk (yes, that's his name) addressed this question in his keynote address on Thursday. 

Opportunities for learning are actually expanding through a myriad of emerging distance technologies. From online content in the form of e-books, podcasts, streamed videos, and satellite maps to participatory environments such as social networking, wikis, and alternate reality worlds, technology-based learning continues to open new learning pathways. At the same time, more instructors are sharing their course materials and teaching ideas globally, thereby expanding learning opportunities and resources.

WIKIS

Wikis were discussed in terms of how they support critical thinking, problem solving, and contextual application of knowledge and concepts.  Examples of wikis are historical timelines, brainstorming, storytelling, online resource building (like Wikipedia). 

What is a Wiki?  The characteristic that has most strikingly set wikis apart from other web based forums and discussions is that of multiple contributors. Unlike a blog, for example, which has one main identifiable author, a wiki web page may be authored and edited by a number of people.

Like all technology use, the speakers discussed an educational purpose as being critical for using wikis or any other Web 2.0 tools.  Raising the "coolness quotient" isn't good enough. 

posted August 7, 2008 « back to Message Center home

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