"What is the potential of social networking within cooperative online education?" (Dalsgaard, & Flate Paulsen, 2009). Transparency is one of the great key strengths of Social networking (both positive and negative) and that in order for cooperative learning in virtual classrooms (the next step in high learning) to be successful, we must provide transparency so that students and teachers can have access to his or her ideas, thoughts and concerns (Dalsgaard, & Flate Paulsen, 2009). But what is the connection between social networking and online education and transparency? The authors attribute the benefits of Social networking and learning to the Social Capital Theory, the Theory of Cooperative Freedom, and Social Cultural Theory. If we have transparency, the main strength of Social Networking, infused and embedded into the online learning environments, we will have improved cooperative and collaborative learning. This actually addresses one of the largest drawback of online learning, which many see as more individualized and personal and is advertised as such. Transparency is a requirement of Cooperative learning. Students can be aware of each others activities, show interest in contributing, expressing opinions, show approval or disapproval, and have a mutual understanding of each others commitments.
Dalsgaard, A, & Flate Paulsen, M. (2009). Transparency in cooperative online education. The International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 10(3), Retrieved from http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/671/1267%3C
Perhaps this blog itself makes the case best, Ben. We have a tool where we can collaborate with each other and are able to pull leaders into our discussion. Prior to social technology, this process would require us to be in the same location. If we weren't, then we couldn't have real discussions. It's interesting that many leaders resist this change. It appears it forces us all to be upfront and provide information we previously were not willing to share.
ReplyDelete