Use of technology in (collaborative) learning.
Usually, online learning is supposed to follow a cookbook approach. But, the way we learn things are still being guided by old methods that we have used to follow. For example, copying the books we have created ebooks. But how effective are ebooks as a tool for learning, other than the ease of sharing (*downloading*) has it changed anything significantly. I don’t think so. It hasn’t changed the way we learn things. Rather, it is grossly undermining the computing power that we have.
This definitely has opened up great many options for us to improve. Current development in the suite of online word-processing applications is a step forward and will aid in its growth (even though the current aim is to cater to office applications). The potential of a collective book (wiki books?) can’t be underestimated. There can be various approach that can be followed for the development purpose. Such a creation will have to consider various factor such as:
- Flexibility of content
- Contribution and moderation
- Ability to merge or branch multiple versions ~ Editions
- Portability: The content may be downloaded.
- Preserving the original and trusted content.
- Innovation and accommodation of user needs
There could be many features that one may need to incorporate. Though, one must be prepared to be flexible and tend to user needs. And we need to think and start implementing.
Hmm… need to think clearly. This seems to be a nice idea and am sure many people must have started working on this technology. Lets see.
Food for thought:
Why is PDF format so popular? Is it because it is portable or is it because it preserves the original content or something else?
i must say that you cannot be more straight on that.and yes, learning in a collabrative mode is beneficial to all in general.and the ways you have discussed is infact good enough to be implemented by people working in that areas.
Comment by atul — May 23, 2007 @ 10:59 am