What's Learning 2.0?

The question of what is Learning 2.0 comes up alot in conversations. No better place to get a definition than a Web 2.0 Wiki. Or the Wiki of Wikis. Wikipedia.

The term e-Learning 2.0 is used to refer to new ways of thinking about e-learning inspired by the emergence of Web 2.0. From an e-Learning 2.0 perspective, conventional e-learning systems were based on instructional packets that were delivered to students using Internet technologies. The role of the student consisted in learning from the readings and preparing assignments. Assignments were evaluated by the teacher.

In contrast, the new e-learning places increased emphasis on social learning and use of social software such as blogs, wikis, podcasts and virtual worlds such as Second Life.

E-learning 2.0 assumes that knowledge (as meaning and understanding) is socially constructed. Construction takes place through conversations about content and grounded interaction about problems and actions. Advocates of social learning claim that one of the best ways to learn something is to teach it to others.

So there you have it. Don't forget your Learning Technologies team have already launched many of these Web 2.0 platforms. If you haven't used some of these capabilities yet, get in touch.