Without Walls

It's a great idea, and I quite agree that in many cases we can live, learn and work without walls and boundaries.

My teaching experiences have mostly required me to look for some kind of shelter, and in most cases, roofs and ceilings have been held up by walls. The pendulum for and against open-plan primary school settings in the UK swings constantly one way and another, and is, if anything a reflection on the fact that no one particular model is superior. It is, after all a question of teaching and learning styles and appropriacy. I should confess however, that I do like to keep out distractions so walls do serve a purpose beyond keeping schools standing upright.

Learning Without Walls?

But there are places in the world where learning occurs in the great outdoors - of course there's a whole area of non-traditional or specialist learning that happens outdoors, but then there are traditional classes that are delivered and studied in open ground, under the shade of trees and so on; but of course, much of this is because of lack of choice especially in parts of the developing world.

So why is there a great trend by educators in the industrialised world to rip down walls, where in other places, walls would be the START? Well, there-in, is the attempt to reach out; to empathise, share knowledge and ideas, to join-up learning experiences, to free minds and (for me, the moral obligation) to bridge the digital divide.

Are you listening Microsoft?

See http://educationaltechnology.ca/couros/ for more.

Virtual Learning

For Matrix* boffins, you'll recall how the future of learning might be about downloading the relevant body content of knowledge and skills direct to the brain - and hey presto - kung fu expert! The whole simulated world/virtual reality issues that form the constant thread in the trilogy of films makes for an interesting starting point for a discussion about Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs).

In an early scene, Neo, the protagonist, trains his mind and learns the art of combat by entering a VLE that simulates a dojo - a classroom for martial arts. So I guess an open discussion on emerging technologies connected to learning might consider any number of possible futures especially considering the rapid scale and pace of change within educational ICT.

A Journey through Virtual Learning Environments: Initial Thoughts

It is an interesting journey that I have embarked on as a distance learning MA student in Digital Technologies, Communication and Education. I sit amongst the desert exotica of Abu Dhabi; the course is run from the University of Manchester, UK; the distance being bridged by the on-line nature of the course. Not quite The Matrix, but virtual learning of a sort? Virtual Learning Environments are currently fashionable in the ever changing world of electronic education, but let's explore:

A virtual learning environment (VLE) is a software system designed to support teaching and learning in an educational setting ... [though] ... a more correct term may be a virtual environment for learning, rather than virtual learning environment. (Source: Wikipedia)

Advantages/Disadvantages? Since the MA is also run on-site in Manchester, I will explore some observations, positives and negatives of both the live class situation (face-to-face) and the virtual learning environment.

Face-to-Face (+)
Students operate in a social setting; especially positive if that is your learning style (i.e. group discussions where feedback is instant). Perhaps easier to develop student-teacher relationship and student-student relationships. Fewer restrictions on teaching and assessment styles.

Virtual Learning Environment (+)
Opportunities for communication are increased through various tools, e.g. email, announcement and discussion boards etc. Ideas can be recorded in a more permanent (electronic) form through wikis, postings to forums and so on. Increased field of reach since students can partake in class from a distance with fewer restrictions in time. Less paper-work.

Of course, there are limitations to both approaches:

Face-to-Face (-)
Time-constraints and the physical confines of the learning environment place their own limitations. Most usually a live class is not captured - so there aren't always the same opportunities for review and discussion later. Different learning media cannot be brought together as easily.

Virtual Learning Environment (-)
Technicalities - availability of web access, understanding of how some VLEs operate, disrupted access, compatibility etc. The lack of social contact requires learners to be intrinsically motivated. May suit mature learners only. Lack of flexibility if it means that all access is restricted to viewing a screen only.

*The Matrix appears on my list of favourite films.