denise withers

A little food for thought for the weekend …
Learning 2.0 describes an alternative approach to learning that turns away from teaching as something that is “done to learners” - and instead, embraces methods in which learning becomes “an on-going and participatory process of transforming information and experience into knowledge.”

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Learning 2.0
Learning 2.0 is an emerging approach to learning that reverses the traditional process of learning content creation and alters its traditional methods of access. Although originally referred to as eLearning 2.0, Learning 2.0 is more of an instructional philosophy than a specific methodology or modality; it emphasizes a flexible, applicable and, in many cases, informal learning environment.

This environment (”classroom”) is comprised of elements (think “posters”, “books”, “articles”, “conversations”, “what happened at the school dance last night”, etc.) described below:

Role of ‘Learners’
contributor
creator
selector

The bottoms-up approach of Learning 2.0 emphasizes that the general population has a critical role to play in contributing to the over all learning experience. The Learner is no longer viewed as a “recepticle” for knowledge but rather a participant in the creation and/or discovery of what is to be learned. The Learner’s role is to contribute their knowledge and (more importantly) experience to the learning environment. The Learner is also responsible for selecting from that environment the elements they need, asking for additional elements, or finding their own elements outside of the provided environment and bringing those elements back to the group.

Role of ‘Teachers’
facilitator
environment provider
content shepherd

In Learning 2.0 the role of the Teacher is not to act as the expert or even, in some cases, the designer of the learning experience itself. Rather, the Teacher plays the role of facilitator to the Learners and provides and/or structures the environment in which the learning occurs. This may involve the initial introduction of learning elements into the environment, and playing a “quality assurance” role as Learners introduce their own elements into the learning environment. Once the learning experience is “over” the Teacher maintains that environment and makes sure it is available to returning learners as appropriate. The Teacher also introduces new Learners to the environment as appropriate.

Enablers
Although Learning 2.0 is a philosophy of how to approach education, there are several technologies that can be used specifically to enable it.
blogs
wikis
web feeds
social networking