So what about YouTube, Discussion Forums, and Facebook tools for distance education? Is it at all possible for someone to gain knowledge from utilizing these example Web 2.0 tools? I think so, but I also think everyone has a particular style of learning, or perhaps lean toward constructivist or objectivist theory. Heck, they probably wouldn’t even realize it at times.
I actually think that someone can bring up a subject through either of these, and spark real learning and scattered opinions of others. It’s happened! It happens all the time on YouTube. Someone does sort of a science experiment, and shares they’re results with the world. Different people may actually try the same thing and comment on their views, whether they be constructivist formed or objectivist.
I personally think the World Wide Web is phenomenal in getting learned knowledge out there all over for others to also gain. The downside is I also think some of these tools can certainly hurt the foundation of education.
Just a thought…
I actually think that someone can bring up a subject through either of these, and spark real learning and scattered opinions of others. It’s happened! It happens all the time on YouTube. Someone does sort of a science experiment, and shares they’re results with the world. Different people may actually try the same thing and comment on their views, whether they be constructivist formed or objectivist.
I personally think the World Wide Web is phenomenal in getting learned knowledge out there all over for others to also gain. The downside is I also think some of these tools can certainly hurt the foundation of education.
Just a thought…
I think you are absolutely correct on this. We, MDE students, are benefitting from YouTube videos and discussion forums (although it is all very structured and directed).
ReplyDeleteI also think that Web 2.0 technologies are useful in distance education. Just this week, one of the online classes my husband is taking had difficulty uploading the video lectures to the class's host site, so they simply created a YouTube channel and uploaded them there. Web 2.0 technologies can be used creatively like that, or collaboratively, such as with a student-made wiki, like our current project. However, I agree that they could be harmful to the foundation of education if the overuse of technology causes course designers to create classes void of true human connection. But given that most Web 2.0 technologies are interactive, I think there is little danger of that.
ReplyDelete