vuc 2008 warsaw

Steve WheelerFaculty of Education

University of Plymouth

All Changing: The Social Web and the Future of

Higher Education

Keynote speech for the Virtual University: Models, Tools and Practice Conference, Technical

University of Warsaw, Poland. June 18-20, 2008

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Education needs transformation…

“Education is what remains after one has forgotten everything he learned in school” – Einstein

"In large states public education will always be mediocre, for the same reason that in large kitchens the cooking is usually bad." - Nietzsche

Source: Chambers English Dictionary

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Education needs to be transformed…

"Learning is what most adults will do for a living in the 21st century." – Perelman

"I cannot teach anybody anything, I can only make them think." - Socrates

Source: http://www.etni.org.il/quotes/education.htm

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....from this.

To this....

What has actually changed?

Transformation…

• …to change people or things completely, especially improving their appearance or usefulness

• …to convert one form of energy to another

Source: Chambers English Dictionary

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The need for transformation…

“Generally, teachers do not use ICT at all, or if they do, it is often reluctantly, and in a fashion that falls short of its full potential. This hardly represents a transformation of the way we learn.” -Wheeler

Source: Wheeler, S. (2005) Transforming Primary ICT, p 1

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The need for digital literacies…

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What to store

Where to store it

How to find it

How to apply it

Other new literacies

What format to

use

The new digital literacies…

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What to store

Where to store it

How to find it

How to apply it

Other new literacies

What format to

use

Assess value

New copyright

Avoiding plagiarism

Mixing and Mashing

Sharing

Source: http://stephenp.net/cmalt/wp-content/uploads/2007/01/uvmodel.jpg

Can we get from this...?

.... to this...?

... And what do we need, to do it?

Web 2.0: the Social Web

“The social web is transforming the way people use the Internet to do business, access information and connect with each other. It has revolutionised the way we are entertained, and altered forever the way we learn”.

Source: John, P. & Wheeler, S. (2008)

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What is the Social Web?

Mapping (Mashup)Maps

Syndication‘Stickiness’

Tagging (Folksonomy)Directories (Taxonomy)

WikiContent Management

ParticipationPublishing

Cost per clickPage views

BloggingPersonal Website

WikipediaBritannica

Web 2.0Web 1.0

Source: Tim O’Reilly http://www.oreillynet.com

Trends in Education

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Just in case

Trends in Education

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Just in case

Just in time

Trends in Education

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Just in case

Just in time

Just for me

Trends in Education

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Just in case

Just in time

Just for me

Just for me Apprenticeship model

Standard Curriculum

Bespoke Curriculum

Personalised Learning

Trends in Education

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Just in case

Just in time

Just for me

Just for me Apprenticeship model

Standard Curriculum

Bespoke Curriculum

Personalised Learning

Personal Learning Environment

Social Software for Personal Learning

Personal Learning Environment

PodcastSocial

Network

Mobile Phone

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Chat

Social Software for Personal Learning

Personal Learning Environment

PodcastSocial

Network

Wikis

Mashup

Mobile Phone

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Blog

Social Tags

Chat

Social Software for Personal Learning

Personal Learning Environment

Podcast

Blog

E-Portfolio

Social Network

Wikis

Mashup

Social Tags

Mobile Phone

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Evidence of Personal Learning

?

Chat

Technology and Learning

Student engagementPassive Active

ExchangeSwap traditional

practices for technology

EnrichEngage students by using richer

mix of media

EnhanceDeepen learning through the use of

technology

ExtendChange the

content, process & location of learning

EmpowerEmpower studentsto take control of their own learning

Learning

Dee

pS

hallow

Source: National College of School Leadership, Nottingham (2006)

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Learning Media

Student engagementPassive Active

TV

Podcast

CAL

Blog

Wiki

Learning

Dee

pS

hallow

Source: Wheeler, S. (2008)

SocialNetwork

ChatRoom

Social Tagging

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Radio

Broadcast vs. Social Media

Student engagementPassive Active

TV

Podcast

CAL

Blog

Wiki

Learning

Dee

pS

hallow

Source: Wheeler, S. (2008)

SocialNetwork

ChatRoom

Social Tagging

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Collaborative LearningIndependent Learning

Social MediaBroadcast Media

Radio

Formal vs. Informal Learning

Student engagementPassive Active

TV

Podcast

CAL

Blog

Learning

Dee

pS

hallow

SocialNetwork

Informal Learning

Formal Learning

Source: Wheeler, S. (2008)

Social Tagging

ChatRoom

Wiki

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Radio

Student engagementPassive Active

TV

Podcast

CAL

Blog

Wiki

Learning

Dee

pS

hallow

SocialNetwork

ChatRoom

Social Tagging

Personal LearningEnvironment

Source: Wheeler, S. (2008)

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Personal Learning Environment

Transparency

Technology: The affordance of the technology to be user friendly and accessible

User: Perception by the user of how easy the technology is to use

Application: Minimum cognitive effort required for maximum practical use

Good design principles used

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Opaque vs. Transparent

“Transparent technology is a joy to use – you concentrate on what you can do with it, rather than what it does”

“Opaque technologies cause you to think more about how to control and manipulate the tool, and less about what you are meant to be achieving through using the tool”

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Support

• Technical support against hardware failure

• Assistance with software applications

• Technical advice for upgrades and compatibility issues

• Specialist advice on best practice and applications to good pedagogy

• Regular upgrades and updates

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Relevance

• of the technology to the curriculum

• of the technology to the school culture

• as a tool ‘fit for purpose’

• does it replace or supplement other technology?

• does it provide an added value?

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Confidence

• Teachers gain confidence through practice

• Confidence eroded through unreliable technology

• Lack of training may lead to rejection of technology

• Fear of unknown

• Professionalism

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Adoption of Innovations

2.5% 13.5% 34% 34% 16%

Innovators

Early Adopters

Early Majority

Laggards

Late Majority

Source: Rogers, E. (1983) Diffusion of Innovations

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Adoption of Technology

Techno-Romantic

Technophile

Techno-Realist

Techno-Luddite

Techno-Sceptic

Source: Wheeler, S. (2005) Transforming Primary ICT, p 10

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Recommendations...• Ensure the technology is relevant• Find champions – early adopters who are

opinion leaders• Listen to the views of staff• Secure adequate funding (sustainability)• Provide authentic training • Offer opportunities for relevant use of new

technologies across the curriculum• Provide Personal Learning Environments ©

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...and some final words…

“If you are not on the Internet, you are history." – Horowitz

"If you are on the Internet, you are geography." - Wheeler

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Steve WheelerSteve WheelerUniversity of Plymouth, UKUniversity of Plymouth, UK

swheeler@plymouth.ac.uk

www2.plymouth.ac.uk/distancelearning

Thank YouThank You

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