Most importantly, I want to emphasize as much as I can, that we need to not promote Web 2.0 as the future of education or learning. In fact, it is highly likely Web 2.0 will not even exist when today’s junior high students enter college or the work force. There are many many web-based tools that can greatly enhance learning today, but need to be used with consideration of how that application affects learning. When I see people state learners need to use these tools because they will experience them in the work place, I just cringe.
They may use them in the work place, or they may not. If they do, employers typically want to train them on their own systems. An employer is much more interested in an employee able to communicate proficiently, locate and critically evaluate information, and build strong internal and external customer relationships. Employers and universities don’t care if a student knows how to use a wiki or make a youtube video. General literacy is much more important than knowledge of specific web platforms. Some of the skills we promote as 21st century literacies will not exist five years from now. There are some excellent frameworks for promoting literacy and I’m excited to see them promoted more fully.
Vicki Davis on 19 Feb 14So, you want to know how to edit Wikipedia? There's a course for you. We are delighted to announce a new round of our free online course, "Writing Wikipedia Articles: The Basics & Beyond" (#WIKISOO). The course runs from 25 February - 8 April 2014, and is now open for enrollment. As many of you know already, WIKISOO teaches the nuts and bolts of Wikipedia. We focus on building and improving articles related to Open Education. Enrollment is open to all. We'd especially like to invite past students to re-register: your knowledge and experience will be valuable to your fellow students, and it's also a great opportunity to deepen your learning about Wikipedia and OER. WIKISOO students learn about the values and culture that have driven hundreds of thousands of volunteers to build Wikipedia. Through your work in the course, you will join an effort that has generated millions of free articles in hundreds of languages since 2001. The course covers the technical skills needed to edit articles, and also offers practical insights into the site's collaborative norms and social dynamics. You will graduate with a sophisticated understanding of how to use Wikipedia both as a reader and as an active participant. Sign up is free.
