Web+2.0+&+F2F

I just read a passage in: **The Journal of Distance Education / Revue de l'Éducation à Distance, Vol 22, No 1 (2007)** http://www.jofde.ca/index.php/jde/article/view/7/488

The insight from this study of U of Calgary and Deakin U (Australia) post-sec professor perceptions about online vs. face-to-face learning was (apologies about abrogating copyright):

“We also sought to find how ICTs influence teachers' pedagogies and practices and to identify ways in which they are beginning to integrate these modalities. The use of a blended mode of teaching and learning was evident with both groups. Most of the participants had the opportunity to meet their students face-to-face at some point while also using a range of technologies. Some instructors in the online mode were also using synchronous technologies to emulate face-to-face classes. These types of blended modes are being used more often and are developing into a common mode of teaching considered by many to be the most effective use of ICT (Bonk & Graham, 2006). Online resources and discussion frequently complement traditional classes, while online distance learning is complemented by synchronous discussion and interaction through various new forms of ICT (Stacey & Gerbic, 2006).”

So, in K-12 world the message I get is that we are shrinking towards a common place. I am in the middle of interesting conversations about the changes in the funding model for BC's graduation program (grades 10-12 are now all funded on a per course model - whether in an online or distributed learning school or a traditional secondary school).

What I now see is that 'blended' learning has come to BC's graduation program in all iterations of it – from distance to classroom. To meet the funding challenges, let alone student needs/interests, it is now critical that all teachers incorporate computer-mediated Web 2.0 technologies and strategies and develop collaborative, online learning environments. Accordingly, we need to tap into emerging technologies available to us in schools, but also taking advantage of existing student networks. The pace of technological change has finally swirled in a collision path to the education enterprise - watch out for the collision!

Randy