Thing #5 - School 2.0

School 2.0 features a fresh approach to continuous learning. Unlike our more traditional forms of learning, Web 2.0 operates in real time and in real world settings. It allows students and other professionals the opportunity to utilize a bountiful resource of information from reputable educational resources to revelations from experts in the field of study. The concept is based on a collaborative learning style in which students and professionals alike, can actively contribute content and review best practices via blogging, wikis, content sharing and many other sites as identified by John Sealy Brown and Richard P. Adler in their article entitled “Minds on Fire: Open Education, the Long Tail, and Learning 2.0.”

With the introduction of School 2.0, we are able to enhance the learning environment of our schools by providing free tools and resources that creatively engage students in a collaborative form of learning. An example would be the ability for schools to utilize the Faulkes Telescope as a learning tool for Astronomy. This resource allows students to view our stars and solar systems with the world’s most sophisticated telescope, as well as providing an opportunity to interact with scientists currently working in the field of Astronomy. Within this scope of learning, schools are no longer limited to their financial resources for hard copy materials, nor are students placed at a disadvantage for limited educational resources. The web is capable of turning a deficiency into efficiency by simply linking students and teachers to resources pertinent to their scope of instruction/learning.

In reviewing “Minds on Fire: Open Education, the Long Tail, and Learning 2.0” by John Sealy Brown and Richard P. Adler, I firmly believe in the intrinsic value of working within a group. In pursuit of my bachelor’s degree, I actually had the opportunity to work within a study group and I certainly feel that I retained a broader scope of information within this collaborative setting. It is important to consider other peoples thoughts and opinions, as two heads are certainly better than one. This setting allows people the opportunity to teach, refine and create materials that both support and enhance the educational effectiveness of information. Open Source Communities allow for this same format amidst strangers that share common interests or beliefs. Let’s face it; our textbooks are only as valid as the date that they are written or published, for the most part. Life continues to evolve with each passing minute and it is impossible to expect you to be prepared for all that life throws at you without having a real time resource such as Web 2.0.

The 2008 Horizon Report provides and interesting time line of how technology continues to advance. Currently, we are experiencing a significant influx of social sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, along with grass roots video blogs such as YouTube. In true Web 2.0 form, groups of individuals are being brought together by blogs, wikis, etc. and we are able to share information more easily via the collaborative web. As smart phones continue to enter into the market place, there is an ever increasing desire for users to access these same resources via the web. Although the study shows integration by 2011, I personally feel that this is too late and I know the technology is present as Mike Massimino recently made history when he sent a 139 character Twitter post from space. It will be interesting to observe how readily this new technology, and the concept of focusing learning on both people and collective intelligence within the academic community. In the academic community, concept has served as the main focal point of learning and some institutions are simply slow to change. I feel that three to five years is a good estimate, but I sense that for some institutions, this may take a little longer.