Learning 2.0 - The Use of Social Computing to Enhance Lifelong Learning

The rapid emergence of social computing applications is changing the ways people connect with each other, exchange and create knowledge in different spheres. In particular, young people entering higher education are integrating ICT seamlessly in their everyday life and call for educational institutions to support their digital learning styles. But also older learners are appreciating the flexibility and ease of learning supported by social computing applications. Social computing tools thus have a potential to support both, students in higher education institutions and workers updating their skills in new ways. However, research on the enabling and disabling factors for a successful deployment of social computing is scarce. IPTS is aiming to close this gap with this ongoing study on Learning 2.0 practices. Existing literature shows that the opportunities these applications offer to support lifelong learning are largely undiscovered. Evidence indicates that social computing applications can support higher education institutions in their efforts to facilitate communication with and among students and staff and to improve learning processes and outcomes. Further research needs to concentrate on workplace learning and professional development as well as on ways of

REDECKER Christine;  ALA-MUTKA Kirsti Maria;  PUNIE Yves; 

2008-10-22

EADTU

JRC47507

http://www.eadtu.nl/conference-2008/proceedings/EADTU%20Conference%202008%20proceedings.pdf,    https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC47507,