Learning environments increasingly become more diverse by the use of information technology. Thereby, the share of face-to-face situations between students as well as between students and mentors becomes smaller, while the share of encounters in virtual space is growing larger. Thus, computer mediated communication (CMC) is growing in importance in all learning environments. Since standard learning environments involve both formal and informal communication, it seems reasonable to claim that without informal communication students and faculty would have difficulties in sustaining the learning processes. Beyond the ever-growing exchange of formal content, the opportunity of informal communication appears increasingly essential for the successful pursuit of online studies.
Online learning comes up whenever the issue of improving teaching and learning is mentioned in our current educational institutions. Based on multimedia programs and networked computers, it seems very promising. But as holds true of education anywhere and at any time, no simple blueprint is available to transform educational institutions and the organization of learning processes. So it is legitimate to ask how online learning must be superior to traditional learning and what we should strive actually to achieve. Five panelists (authors 2-6) were asked by the panel organizer (author l) to present their perspectives to an audience who participated in a lively discussion. This paper is based on statements prepared after the event. Illustrating the range of ideas and experiences that comprise the current state of online learning, this collection also adds an international perspective.
Weblogs are a popular form of Social Software, supporting personal Web authoring as well as innovative forms of social interaction via internet. The potential of Weblogs to emphasize active student participation and collaboration raises great expectations for a new pedagogical quality in higher education. In this chapter, the author explores the value of Social Software, specifically Weblogs, for learning and teaching in institutional education. An exploratory study serves as background for the discussion. Critical issues and areas of research for using Social Software in education are concluding the chapter.
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