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Some may ask why create a new term, Web of Learning instead of just Web. Why get fancy? As indicated in Preface, phrase Web of Learning is a means to place more emphasis on what is educationally available online as opposed to focusing solely on technologies that make it possible to electronically and systematically share contents and resources. This naming is intended to remind educational professionals, policy makers and government officials, software developers, those connected with media, and casual as well professional learners, that goals and objectives of Web, or any educational tool or resource, are ultimately human learning and development. Web of Learning metaphor can help one see that there is a growing need to design frameworks, models, and guidelines that clarify and perhaps simplify online learning and education possibilities. Simply put, there is a pressing need to change dialogue related to online learning from repeated overhyping of emerging technologies, to thoughtful use of such technologies with innovative and exciting pedagogy. Web of Learning shifts attention from our perpetual engrossment with emerging technologies or some nifty tool or specific feature, to what is educationally available and possible. Instead of focusing on a shiny, new technology, we must continue to ask how it might be used to inspire distraught and disenfranchised youth to learn. How might these new devices help those who are less fortunate or who are not participating to fullest extent in society? With Web of Learning metaphor or ideal, diverse talents of twenty-first century can be harnessed and united for mammoth educational change. With such harnessing, educational possibilities that no one had conspired to build previously can come into view. And ultimately more innovative, engaging, and exciting instructional events will unfold, instead of dull and lifeless ones that have pervaded for centuries. Given millions of learning portals, growing number of simulation tools, course resource possibilities, and thousands of possible online course activities, it is small wonder many are stymied about what to do online. There is so much to know that many give up or simply do not start. Some may venture slowly inside or take baby steps as actor Bill Murray did when assuming role of Bob Bobby Wiley, a highly manipulative obsessive-compulsive man, in 1991 hit movie, What about Bob?. His psychiatrist, Dr. Leo Marvin, better known as actor Richard Dreyfus, got him on path to taking baby steps. For some it will be critical to repeat as Bob did, baby steps, baby steps, baby steps, before venturing into this massive Web of Learning. Without a doubt, there may be some real as well as imagined aches and pains along way. learning results, as well as emotional gains from new colleagues and networks, however, are often worth mental effort. While most of us are not as panicky or nervous as Bob, we nonetheless have all had our moments of being overwhelmed with information. |
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Most of the World is Open learning is effortful and, at times, painful. At same time, when you have choice in your learning pursuits and those presented to you are highly interactive and engaging, it can be one of most gratifying experiences known to humankind. Web of Learning can be exactly that. And, remember, is it less than two decades old. Stated another way, it is but a child. As World is Open matures, it will bring more learning pleasures and experiences; some of which we can at least dream about today, but much that lies far beyond our field of dreams. We are entering a learning culture. A new epoch for our species and World is Open. technology integration speaker for regional e-learning conference
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