The original World Wide Web—the “Web 1.0” that emerged in the mid-1990s—vastly expanded access to information. The Open Educational Resources movement is an example of the impact that the Web 1.0 has had on education. But the Web 2.0, which has emerged in just the past few years, is sparking an even more far-reaching revolution. Tools such as blogs, wikis, social networks, tagging systems, mashups, and content-sharing sites are examples of a new user-centric information infrastructure that emphasizes participation (e.g., creating, re-mixing) over presentation, that encourages focused conversation and short briefs (often written in a less technical, public vernacular) rather than traditional publication, and that facilitates innovative explorations, experimentations, and purposeful tinkerings that often form the basis of a situated understanding emerging from action, not passivity.
susan carter morgan on 18 Sep 11The focus of this guide is on emerging practice rather than emerging technology. The examples and case studies in the section, Exploring emerging practice, show different perspectives and different approaches that reflect the naturally different stages institutions and departments will be at in using technology to enhance learning and teaching. They describe a series of exploratory journeys using a range of technologies to address particular needs or ambitions.
