From the Desk of Mr Daniel

The Age of New Media

Each new technology creates a new environment and opportunity. With the evolution of the Internet from Web 1.0 to Web 2.0, this has revolutionize the way we use the internet and change the way we learn. Since the beginning of the wide-spread usage of the internet until 2004, the internet was used for reading ad receiving content for research. After 2004, the Internet evolved into Web 2.0, with many social media websites and tools that allow the Internet users to create, contribute and collaborate contents online. Web 2.0 have also create a culture of openness, participation and contribution. The wisdom of the group now replace the expert.

This resulted in the explosion of information, the world getting smaller and social learning moving to the center stage. Learning has changed. Hence, education will need to change to keep up. Customization, Creation and Collaboration is now the new educational model. With the change, students now need teachers more than ever as teachers now becomes the facilitators of information.


The New Concept of Learning

Social media engages and motivates students to learn. It also creates many possibilities for teaching and learning. Learning is no passively constrained to a classroom or based on learning objects. Rather, learning is centered around the interest of a learner and is owned by the learner. (Personalized Learning) Students learn by involving themselves to the tasks. (Immersive Learning) Using a Computer, Laptop or Mobile Phones as a device, learning occurs through connection with other learners based on conversation and interaction. (Connected Learning)

For the first time, we are preparing students for a future we cannot fully describe. (David Warlick) Eric Hoffer mentioned that in times of rapid change, learners inherited Earth while the learned find themselves equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists. Educators are encouraged not to limit the students to their own mode of learning as they are born in another era.

1. Learn about Web 2.0
   Understand the concept of Web 2.0 and how it can impact learning.
    
2. Lurk / Participate
   Try out new social media tools. Lurk around to familiarize yourself before participating.
    
3. Experiment with different Web 2.0 tools
   Not all social media tools are suitable in all teaching and learning environment. Review the learning needs and the objective carefully before deciding of the tools can help you achieve the learning needs and objectives.
    
4. Make education a Public Discussion
   As learning is now immersive and connected, educators are encouraged to create a learning community in the class where knowledge emerge from conversations.
     
5. Teach Content Production
    Introduced various tools to the students and get them to create content through engaging activities.
    
6. Guidance on Assessing the Right Content
   Offer guidance and advise on selecting the appropriate contents and how to deal with unappropriated contents.

References:

Social learning (social pedagogy). (2010, March 14). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 21:30, July 18, 2010, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Social_learning_(social_pedagogy)

Open & Collaborative Learning. (2010, April). Slideshare. Retrieved 21:30, July 18, 2010, from http://www.slideshare.net/courosa/open-collaborative-learning

Collaborative and Co-operative Learning. (2010, June). Slideshare. Retrieved 21:30, July 18, 2010, from http://www.slideshare.net/timbuckteeth/collaborative-and-cooperative-learning-the-how-and-the-why

Trends and Impacts of E-Learning 2.0. (2010, March). Slideshare. Retrieved 21:30, July 18, 2010, from http://www.slideshare.net/Downes/trends-and-impacts-of-elearning-20

E-Learning 2.0 - Why the New Tools. (2010, March). Slideshare. Retrieved 21:30, July 18, 2010, from http://www.slideshare.net/Downes/elearning-20-why-the-new-tools