Well Informed: Learning 2.0

Learning 2.0

A research project completed by Patricia Thibaut focuses on the learning, literacy, and exploring purposes in regards to social media was conducted in Australia. The results of the study were published in the Australian Journal of Language and Literacy. Students who participated in this study were taught how to self-direct themselves through an online learning process. The students were given rules that they needed to abide by. Subjects that were discussed with the students were, digital foot-printing, staying safe in cyber space, security, trust, interaction, information, and reputation in an online setting. The teacher discussed the importance of netiquette, and prepared the students by teaching them communication technology practices. One of the conclusions that came from this study showed that preparing young children for this type of learning placed a lot of demands on the teacher. The study also showed that teaching these skills was more time intensive. Not only was there the time to teach each the various aspects of safe online learning, it also required time to follow-up with the students to ensure they were putting the lessons into practice. 

Although the initial teach time may be high, I think this type of teaching is a necessity. This is where technology and learning are headed. It needs to be embraced rather than ignored. If we can start these children out young and teach them the correct ways rather than let them figure it out on their own, it will potentially save them from jeopardizing their futures. It is extremely important that kids today learn how to function in a highly technological workforce and culture. 

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is rapidly growing. The leading publisher for eLearning, Focus On Education Foundation has published a book called Good Practice in ICT For Education. The book suggests three main reasons for having good social media practices. They include: national perspective, education sector perspective, and education institution and school perspectives. It discusses how ICT can contribute to economic growth by helping to enhance education, increase education levels of the poor, and how it can serve as a long-term solution to reducing the number of people living in poverty. 

ICT is an important component in social and economic development. ICT can help strengthen education by helping to “bridge the knowledge gap”. Social media, technology, and advancements in online education can help improve the quality of education. The advancements in technology and social media are bringing quality educational opportunities to populations in remote areas. Teaching and learning through this means will help to expand knowledge and resources to all groups throughout society. Using these tools, ICT is accomplishing its goal of improving the competency and skills of all people, helping them to succeed in today’s world. 

Claude M. Bristol, author of the book, The Magic of Believing, wrote “"To win you've got to stay in the game”. Technology is all around us and is going to continue to advance. In order to stay in the game, we are going to need to advance with it. If we choose to ignore this, we are essentially taking ourselves out of the game. We need to become an active participant in order to succeed. If we are proactive and become involved in new and upcoming advancements in technology there will be no need to fear the future.