...by nature we are social beings, and I think Web2.0 is just enabling something that we actually like to do. Social learning has been around for a long time. Albert Bandura was one of the first writers way back in the 70s (Bandura, A. (1977). Social learning theory. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall).
Networks I think are a really valuable development that the web-based software is enabling. These connections that we have with people can be constantly shifting as our need or focus changes and can take our students much further than just our classroom or institutional boundaries. For example, all of a sudden we can now choose a topic and communicate on a world-wide basis either with experts, other practitioners – really anyone – and that’s very engaging and enriching from a learning perspective.
Otherwise you normally get essays and things back that are basically regurgitated what you have already told them. But, as a teacher I am interested in knowing what they think. With the effective use of social networks, it is certainly posible to have a peek view of their thinking - or kick thier thinking off.
Also communities are a little bit more closed – with like-minded people there is this danger of echo-chambers. If I’m in a group with like-minded people, we just keep talking about things that we already know and we already like (Txting, for example). That doesn’t leave us open to a lot of examination from those arguing against us. But this may not be the case with social software such as Facebook or Twitter, for example.You can hang out with other practitioners who may not necessarily agree to what we think or do is wonderful.
I’d like to see students more in these loosely-formed networks where people can come in and offer critique – not criticism – but informed critique, and we get some rich debate happening around issues rather than the more closed behavioural thing within a community of practice that we used to see. The learner’s ability to then comfortably mix in these environments seems really empowering for them as well. They don’t seem to hesitate and I think you will see the younger ones as very natural communicators.
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I like your idea to communicate within the ‘community of practice’ and the involvement of our lifelong learners in an authentic environment. This opportunity will validate students’ knowledge and urge them to think outside the box. Undoubtedly, the new web concept had enabled teachers and students to experience their learning with the people from within the concerned industry.
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