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http://www.ectel07.org/cfps/callforpapers.2008-07-01.1750270947 Web 2.0 has become a major technology that supports content publishing over the Internet. Web 2.0 refers to an expected second generation of Web technology that allows people to create, publish, exchange, share, and cooperate on information (knowledge) in a new way of communication and collaboration. The Web 2.0 technology makes the Web not only for browsing, but also for creating and sharing. The success of Web 2.0 heavily relies on interactive communication and collaboration among people over the Internet - where are the people; what people possess; whether people are willing to communicate; how a group of people can be formed as communities of practice; and how people can work together trough new generation of interactive social software such as Wikis, Blogs, RSS feeds, podcast, Ajax-based browsers, peer-to-peer, instant messenger, and other social networking software. Some successful examples of Web 2.0 applications are Wikipedia, YouTube, MySpace, and Flickr. The Web 2.0 is shifting economical value of the Web to new business models for the next generation of Web technologies and interactive e-learning. One of the essential goals of applying Web 2.0 technologies to interactive e-learning is to enhance interactive communication and collaboration among participants in the Web-based learning. By participants, we refer to the learners who either possess related learning resources, or can help to discover and obtain the resources, or are willing to exchange and share the resources with others. By learning resources, we refer to the participating learners and available learning content and services. In Web 2.0, learners are co-learners as well as co-authors. They can read and write to the Web, in which learners become the consumers and producers of learning resources. As a result, the critical challenges of Web 2.0 for interactive e-learning is how to identify the right co-learners, find the right conte

Open educational resources (OERs) have the potential to reduce costs, improve quality, and increase access to educational opportunities. OER development and deployment is one path that could contribute to achieving education for all. The article, "Developing and Deploying OERs in Sub-Saharan Africa: Building on the Present" by Clayton Wright builds on existing information and communication technology (ICT) implementation plans in Africa and on the experiences of organizations and initiatives such as: * the African Virtual University (AVU), * OER Africa, the South African Institute of Distance Education (SAIDE), * Teacher Education in Sub Saharan Africa (TESSA) Project The author of the article present, a one view of the benefits, challenges, and steps to realize the potential of OERs in sub-Saharan Africa if they could be taken. * The article further focuses on the factors necessary for creating and sustaining a vision for OER development and deployment; * developing and distributing resources with an open license; * improving technology infrastructure and reducing the cost of Internet access; * establishing communities of educational collaborators; sustaining involvement in the OER initiative; * producing resources in interoperable and open formats; * establishing and maintaining the quality of OERs; providing local context to address national and regional needs and conditions; * informing the public about OERs; and taking the initiative to build on the knowledge, skills, and experiences of others. Wright, C. (Apr 2012). Developing and Deploying OERs in Sub-Saharan Africa: Building on the Present. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, (v13) n2. pp. 181-220. Retrieved from: http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ983279.pdf

Online Learning and Distance Education Resources

HIGHER EDUCATION RESOURCE LINKS

The face of higher education has changed because of online learning and the successful distance teaching of open universities globally.  The University of South Africa (UNISA) is one of the mega distance learning institutions in the world and the largest distance education provider on the African continent.  UNISA is infamous for research and innovation and its institutions are committed to provide leadership in innovation and excellence in open distance learning (ODL) research.  The UNISA open distance learning programs is a dedicated system and it entails a student-centered approach that gives students flexibility and choice over how they learn.  It also provides extensive student support systems and comprehensively offers both vocational and academic programs, many of which have received international accreditation.  Accordingly, the UNSIA website provides an explanation of the administration and governance policy and statements that focus on ways to deliver distance learning "supported open learning.  Technology strategy board tackles barriers and supports business-led innovation for its students and citizens.   In addition, the UNISA has an extensive geographical footprint giving their students recognition and employability in many countries in the world.  Organized into five colleges, discipline areas in which UNISA has high levels of research competency such as: Science, Engineering and Technology (excluding Medicine), Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Economics and Management Sciences, Human Sciences and Law.  The USNIA put into place structures fit for the purpose of research enablement integral and it is committed to the generation and liberation of resources for research.  The unique nature of this service derives from a strong commitment to basic, strategic and applied research, in keeping with the university's identity both as a comprehensive institution and as a leader in certain niche research areas. 

New Ways of Mediating Learning: Investigating the  implications of adopting open educational resources  for tertiary education at an institution in the United  Kingdom as compared to one in South Africa

"Openness" (Reuse-Redistribution-Regenerate- The only means of doing education because education must be shared relationship. (Non-rival) Generosity of open resources Media is changing the way knowledge is delivered because the internet is immediate Content

Raiker, A. (2009). Transformational Learning and e-portfolios: A Pedagogy for Improving Student Experience and Achievement. International Journal Of Learning, 16(8), 313-323. Abstract Article Review:  Transformative learning occurs when an individual's understanding opens up a new vista of interconnected learning. As an individual develops, s/he is increasingly able to solve abstract problems logically and to think critically of the self and others in moral, social, emotive and judgmental terms. The individual assimilates and accommodates the reformed knowledge gained into new structures of thought, affecting esteem and efficacy. The transformation achieved results in autonomy, a necessary attribute in the current climate of world-wide change. Of course, the reformed knowledge might result in negative outcomes with the individual's sense of self being lowered with resulting dependency. A way of ensuring positive outcomes is through the structured and supported use of e-portfolios in personalized and reflective mode. This approach reflects current policies in England calling for the development of e-assessment and the embedding of personal learning and thinking skills into school, further and higher education curricula. However, the success of these initiatives determined by what happens at the point of pedagogical interaction. This paper takes as its starting point the UK's Joint Information Systems Committee's declaration that in using e-portfolios the pedagogy not the resource comes first

References and Recommended Resource Readings