Literature review for the use of Web 2.0 tools in Education

Whilst education is different from both healthcare and private organisations, there is a lot in this literature review to get you thinking.  I was wowed by the comprehensive coverage of the technologies and the analysis of what might best be used when and where and by whom.  I started reading from the back - with the Appendices!



Introduction
Methodology
Changing
 technologies
The 
emergence 
of
 Web
2.0 
tools
A 
typology 
of 
Web
2.0 
tools
Changing
 learning 
and 
learners
Theories
 of 
learning
New 
forms 
of 
learning
Patterns
 of
 technology 
use
and 
the
 characteristics
 o f
learners
The
 changing
 role
 of
 teaching 
and 
teachers
Strategies 
for 
supporting 
the
 use 
of 
technologies
Barriers
 to 
uptake 
and 
lack 
of 
impact
Digital,
 networked
 and
 multi­literacies
Success
 factors 
and 
strategies 
for 
change
Contextual 
examples
Blogs,
 wikis 
and
 social
 tagging
Twitter.
Social 
networking.
Immersive 
environments 
and
 virtual
 worlds.
Summing
 up.
Conclusions
Appendices

Review of mobile and wireless technology: free book

Whether you are knew to the concepts of mobile and wireless technology or an old hand, a new online book on this topic is worth a read (if nothing else other than to experience some very nice online reading technology!).  The models, frameworks and use of evidence means it is an excellent resource for teams and organisations figuring out how best to use current technology to further learning, development and quality improvement work.

Getting started with mobile learning

While some organisations are struggling to make the move to video conferencing and webinars, others have moved on even further and are using mobile technology as a key part of their learning and development plans for employees. A recent article in ASTD covered this topic and it is a short and easy read for anyone who is wondering what is meant by mobile learning.

Learning networks or social movements? Which is best for large scale change?

I'm not sure there is a specific answer as to whether learning networks or social movements are best for large scale change.  However, my personal preference is for learning networks and these are my reasons:

1. learning networks connect the people who are interested in solving the problem, and they do so in an interactive, participative and empowered way. In comparison social movements have the image of someone wanting to make something happen and in manipulating the joining in process and to an agenda they have set.
2. learning networks are about the exchange of information, discussion and both personal and group learning. Personal behaviour may change as a result of learning about something new from within a peer group. When a group discovers new knowledge and feel the creative process of doing so, they may become quite committed to then implementing changes.
3. learning networks can be direct and specific. They can be topic based or professional grouping based.
4. there is a sense of an output with learning networks. Social movements are useful in that they are purpose driven, however, learning networks to me are more concrete, pragmatic and easier to associate with outcomes and results.
5. we know learning networks work in healthcare while social movement theory is in its infancy. I am a proponent of using the existing knowledge we have to best effect.

This doesn't mean social movements are not useful, rather that I am sceptical about their ability to deliver results, especially when we know learning network can have an impact.

There is an excellent paper on Learning networks for sustainable, large scale change which is worth a read. 

Mobile learning may be more significant than web learning for healthcare

Educational methods have long been one of the key strategies to encourage the adoption of existing good practice and evidence in healthcare. The predominant method is face-to-face sessions though over the last three or four years this has started to be replaced by virtual sessions. The Web has been the technology used ofr the virtual learning, however, the advent of smart phones suggests learning via the mobile may be overtake the web portion of learning and may dig deeper into the face-to-face session.

The chart above comes from Ambient Insight Research who have an excellent article on this topic.

Are your spread plans including the use of mobile learning and technology?.