Sometimes, I feel like I'm in an alien land when I hear words like blogs, wikis, and tags, and, I just want to shout OH NO! But, being by nature ever ready for a new learning challenge, I'm beginning this blog to teach myself about Web 2.0 technologies and as a place to journal my learning. I hope that through this effort I will catch up with so many of you who are experienced users of web 2.0 technologies, and, hopefully make a few unique contributions along the way.
My experience with e-learning began in 1993 when I enrolled in a distance PhD degree program at Nova Southeastern University. The experience was pleasant enough, but, technology use was limited to email and homework uploads using the primitive VI editor. Then, by 1999 when I taught my first distance course, use of the world wide web was widespread and course management systems like WebCT were available for sharing class materials. This made learning at a distance somewhat easier, but, interaction between teacher and student was minimal and learning was pretty much independent study. E-learning during this period was typically electronic copies of files and documents posted to internet sites for students to print, study, and learn in a self-study mode.
Now, I find myself conducting live classes using video technology, reviewing student projects documented on their wiki pages, and trying to assess their research efforts posted to their blogs. I have found that "Net Generation" students are no longer content with hearing from their instructor at the beginning and end of the term. They want to chat on a regular basis and collaborate in completing assignments.
It is with the goal of encouraging more participation, interaction, and collaboration in my distance courses that I initiate this blog. Over the next few weeks, and, probably on a continuous basis, I will explore Web 2.0 topics as related to teaching with technology. I will attempt to define each tool, determine how they might facilitate student learning, and identify examples of how others have implemented them in their classroom. I look forward to your contributions.
Lisa
