Published June 28th, 2009
in social software, paper, networks and learning.
Together with Morten Flate Paulsen (from NKI Distance Education) I have written an article for IRRODL (The International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning) entitled “Transparency in Cooperative Online Education” (note that the article is available in both html, pdf, mp3 and epub). The abstract reads:
“The purpose of this article is to discuss the following question: What is the potential of social networking within cooperative online education? Social networking does not necessarily involve communication, dialogue, or collaboration. Instead, the authors argue that transparency is a unique feature of social networking services. Transparency gives students insight into each other’s actions. Cooperative learning seeks to develop virtual learning environments that allow students to have optimal individual freedom within online learning communities. This article demonstrates how cooperative learning can be supported by transparency. To illustrate this with current examples, the article presents NKI Distance Education’s surveys and experiences with cooperative learning. The article discusses by which means social networking and transparency may be utilized within cooperative online education. In conclusion, the article argues that the pedagogical potential of social networking lies within transparency and the ability to create awareness among students.”
Published June 25th, 2009
in knowledge media, paper and web 2.0.
I have written an article for MedieKultur, which has just been published. It is entitled “From transmission to dialogue: Personalised and social knowledge media”. The abstract reads:
“The purpose of the article is to develop an approach to the use of digital media to support learning. Based on socio-cultural theory, the article develops the concept of knowledge media and argues that personalised and social media can support new ways of learning with media. Personalised and social knowledge media take the individual as the starting point and support the activities of individuals rather than transmitting or broadcasting content. The concept of knowledge media is intended to describe individuals’ use of media for learning in both formal and informal situations inside and outside of institutions. How can cultural and educational institutions learn from informal learning situations, how can they utilise digital media to move beyond their physical boundaries and websites, and how can they move from transmission and broadcasting to a dialogical approach?”
Published June 18th, 2009
in social software, paper and learning.
I was at the ICELW 2009 Conference (The International Conference on E-Learning in the Workplace) in New York last week. I presented my paper on “Supporting Transparency between Students” (pdf). The abstract reads:
“The paper presents the results of a case study that explores the potentials of weblogs and social bookmarking to support transparency in a university course. In the course, groups of students used weblogs and social bookmarking in their work. The objective of the case was to empower students by providing them with tools that would be visible to the other students in the course, thus, making students’ ideas, thoughts and questions visible to the other students in the course. The paper concludes that use of digital media for transparency can support empowerment of students and inspiration among students in a course, but that the challenge is to create a balance between personal tools and tools for collaborative group work that are also suitable for transparency between students. “
