Social learning
Web 2.0 has been an emerging trends in web learning since open source application like blog, podcast and wiki were adopted as tools for learning. Social learning here refers to elearning that based on Web 2.0 technology. I am very interested and have been try to apply the model of online learning that takes advantage of the resources distributed over internet. Not only because the internet resources are low cost but also because that they are so full of wisdom from all perspectives and they reflect the changing nature of real world. In many cases especially when teaching complicate concepts, teaching is no longer a gathering and disseminating of facts and skills but rather providing a dynamic environment that will inspire active engagement of learners and eventually construct their unique conceptions. My idea is using open-source software for content and access to scholarly works; using bookmark system like del.icio.us for collecting and managing helpful learning links; using live journal or blog for presenting personal or group findings; using co-ediors like wiki or web-based word processors for composing reports; and using RSS for updating current findings, events and on going researches. This environment looks like a learning network to me. I am sure the socially open learning environment will encourage participation of learners and improve the efficiency of distance learning greatly.
Helpful resources
These are resources that I found them very useful,
Open contentMIT Open Courseware
http://ocw.mit.edu/index.htm
Delicious
http://del.icio.us/
Delicious is a bookmark management tool that help users keeping and sharing their bookmarks as well as discovering new and interesting things by browsing popular & related items.
Blogger
http://www.blogger.com/start
Blogger provides free blog space for registered users.
Wiki Space
http://www.wikispaces.com/
Wikispace provides free wiki space where groups could edit together.
Learning Circuits
http://www.learningcircuits.org/
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