Transformation

Our beloved constructivist learning theories can now situate learning right where students live—in a socially networked world. We have the tools.The hype—and adoption—of social networking is a mask that hides the lack of fundamental teaching transformation. There’s nothing new about Web 2.0 except a lot of Web 2.0 conferences.

Reputation

Social networking promotes artificial flamboyance. The academy has always been a safe place for audition, but public postures can leave indelible marks that come back to haunt students.The academy must adopt Web 2.0 technologies and accept the transformation of the instructor’s role—or face irrelevance.

Authority

Social networking refutes automatic authority and gives everyone a presence. Two heads are always better than one, and 3 million heads are even better.The distribution of cognitive authority leads to groupthink where the claim that clamors for and gets the most attention is conferred the greatest credence.


Page last modified on November 12, 2007, at 06:05 PM