Blogs, Wikis and Collaborative Learning

Learn how to use free web-based tools as vehicles for knowledge construction and cooperative learning. Topics and possibilities include using a blogs or wikis as collaborative exercises, as an electronic portfolio, or knowledge base.
Meets July 28th & Aug. 11 Schedule # 01212.

Overview

This course is designed to be practical, current, interesting, empowering and thought-provoking. It is built around active learning and collaborative thinking. When we're done, you'll have created a design for a collaborative learning environment on a topic of your choice.

Audience

This course is targeted for anyone interested in Web 2.0 and it's potential for use in corporate training, higher ed, or K-12.

Distance, Open University, and Campus Students

Please note that the campus section of this course has been cancelled. Online students are required to take part in the course kickoff on July 28 from 9-12, and again in the class presentations on Aug 11 from 1-4.

Online students are required to have a fast, stable internet connection on those days as well as a microphone to participate in the group chat.

Webcams are strongly encouraged, but not required.

Resources

A growing list of course-related links is available and will be maintained after the course is over.

Learning Outcomes

In this course you will learn to

choose tools and platforms appropriate for a given learning task
create an overall design of a learning environment that is both lean and coherent
create a detailed plan for implementing a collaborative lesson

Collaborative Learning

All students will be required to create user accounts with WordPress and WikiSpaces. Both are cool and free.

As you would expect from a class on collaborative learning, we'll be working together. However, students will not be required to work on group projects, per se. Each student will be expected to post individual reflections on the class blog, and add an entry to the class handbook. Together we'll collaborate to share knowledge and perspective. Students are allowed to create their designs in pairs, but not required.