“The world has become networked and connected. In this environment of colossal change, the design methodologies used to foster learning remain strangely outdated – created for a time and need which no longer exist” (George Siemens) [1]
Human beings are socially oriented and are getting together to exchange interests, but also to belong to a group. In a learning situation the learner can build up new knowledge by communicating and discussing new topics with others. The interaction between learners in a social setting is being influenced by different factors. The background of every individual learner is different. Some of the factors that influence this are culture, education of parents, up bring, friendships, EQ (Emotional intelligence) and IQ (Cognitive intelligence).
Professionals have done pedagogic and didactical studies to be able to support learners in their learning process. In the classroom topics are being discussed to teach the learners to build up self-consciousness and knowledge concerning human relations. Depending on age the approach is done differently, but the structure is building up in such a way the learning is improving social and emotional skills.
The teaching methods have been changing little by little over time. The methods used in class are still based on methods developed in the 19th century. Recently there has been a change in the teaching method. Studies have proven that co-learning is working better than expected. The learners are being put to work in small groups to discuss materials they need to explore. This technique is starting to be used more often and can easily be implemented in an online learning environment. This has opened up the possibilities for developing e-learning.
The shift of web 1.0 to web 2.0 has made e-learning much more flexible, personal and interactive. The web 2.0 introduces us to social software applications that improve the social setting in the online world. Web 2.0 tools are being used for private use on a daily basis. In primary education on the other hand e-learning is still in the start-up phase. The primary schools are lagging in implementing e-learning methods. Depending on the perspective of the school board and its teachers, schools invest money in the development of e-learning in their learning system. Most teachers are still hesitant in using e-learning tools because of a lack of time to get educated properly. The schools also mention that the new learning techniques cost too much money. Even if the school invests in software packages the materials often does not meet the requirements.
The use of social- and open-source software in primary education is only minimal. Some teachers choose to use Google.com to give learners examples of the theory discussed in class. Others are using wiki’s or edublogs to work out their lesson materials for the next class. The overall use of e-learning in primary education is limited. Next to the lack of knowledge the (social) software available at the moment isn’t developed in the right way yet.
The net-generation is used to social networking sites. The learners use social websites on a daily basis to keep in touch with their friends and family. Exchanging document, pictures and movies is a normal habit. The net-generation is used to connect and multi-task with others online. The teachers on the other hand are not that familiar with the networking environment. They are slow adapters and will need more time to get familiar with the techniques. The net-generation is the future teacher and in time these things will changes as well.
Building social skills is something that can hardly be replaced by technology alone and will still need to be supported by human contact. With the development of web 2.0 and social software it is possible to work together in an online environment though. Learners still tend to meet face-to-face because it is more difficult to express themselves online. One of the risks in co-learning in the online learning environment is miss-communication. Besides miss-communication also factors such as free riding and non-contributing are more common to happen in an online learning environment.
Even though there are small differences between co-learning in the online and offline world, most factors are relevant for both learning methods. For co-learning to succeed the six features; social affinity, cognitive ability, feedback, distribution of control, nature of task and time are all equally important. Social software can provide the learner with the 6 features in their learning process. The web 2.0 tools are developed in such a way that the learner can communicate, build up friendships, share materials and exchange theories. The social software tools can be implemented in such a way that the online learning environment can be improved to become a better social learning environment.
All problems that exist and that are holding the primary schools back in the usage of e-learning (2.0) in the classroom are because of the lack of knowledge. There are no facilities and most software doesn’t meet the needs of primary education. Software that is being offered often is too expensive for primary schools to invest in. This gives us the requirements to work with when designing social software applications for use in primary education. The lack of knowledge can be circumvented with clear explanations to the individuals that are going to work with the new materials. Publishers don’t keep in mind what knowledge the teachers are missing, which forces them to often just focus on the available old-fashioned school board. To see who is actually going to use and work with the software and focus the clearer explanation on this group, will give the teachers and learners better control over the software they are using. If all users have more confidence in that they are able to use the software, the software will automatically be used more often and in a more productive and efficient way.
Working out an open-source software package will make it possible for the learners to not only work in the classroom. Most households have the availability of a personal computer that the learners can use for their schoolwork. When classroom slowly are been filled with computers, the software can still be used using. Open-source will also circumvent the big costs for schools to purchase expensive software packages. The software available right now doesn’t meet the needs of the learners in primary education. Most software isn’t user friendly and can’t be used in collaboration.
To sum up the requirements for a future product:
- open-source
- user friendly
- use of familiar social software tools
- direct focus on the teachers and learners needs
- online based
- slow learning curve (simplicity)
- motivate
[1] Loon, van J., (2007), pp. 22 – 23
