Education for a Digital World Advice, Guidelines and Effective Practice from Around Globe, 2008a

1 – Emerging Technologies in E-learning
automatically ‘pushed’ to them. This content is usually
collected by RSS-aware applications called aggregators
or newsreaders. Some Web browsers now have these
newsreaders built in.
Simulations. Simulations in e-learning are attempts
to create a level of reality in a computer environment so
that learners can practise skills, solve problems, operate
expensive machinery, or conduct interactions in a safe
situation.
Smart mobs. A smart mob is an electronically interconnected
group that behaves intelligently or efficiently
because of its exponentially increasing network links.
This network enables people to connect to information
and other people, allowing a form of social coordination
(Wikipedia, 2006b, para. 3).
SMS. Short messaging service (SMS) is a technical
standard that provides the capability for text messaging
via cell phones.
Swarmcasting. “Swarmcasting enables web content,
especially rich media (video) files, to be sent across the
Internet more efficiently than traditional routes. The
content or original file is broken into much smaller
packets, which are then distributed to any computers
that have requested them” (Stead, Sharpe, Anderson,
Cych & Philpott, 2006, p. 38).
Synchronous. Literally, synchronous means “at the
same time.” In a learning context this refers to events
that occur with all participants present, such as classrooms,
chat sessions, and web conferencing. It is the
opposite of asynchronous.
Social computing. Social networking software is “a
category of Internet applications to help connect friends,
business partners, or other individuals together”
(Wikipedia, 2006c, para. 4).
Virtual classrooms. The use of web conferencing or
online meeting applications to conduct classes over the
Internet.
Vlog. A blog based on video content.
Vodcast. Video podcasts broadcast video over the
Internet.
VoIP. Voice over Internet protocol (IP) is a technology
that breaks voice communications into packets that
can be sent over IP networks such as local area networks
(LANs) or the Internet. This has advantages in
terms of cost savings and increased functionality and
manageability.
Web 2.0. “Web 2.0 refers to an emerging networkcentric
platform to support distributed, collaborative
and cumulative creation by its users” (Hagel, 2005, para.
6). It is about using the World Wide Web to create, as
well as access content through social computing tools.
Webcam. A webcam is a live video camera that is either
integrated into the hardware of a computer, is a
separate piece of hardware that attaches to a computer,
or stands to the side of a computer. Webcams are used
for synchronous online meetings and videoconferencing.
Other uses involve displaying real-time weather and
traffic.
Web conferencing. Software applications that enable
meetings over the Internet. They add presentation, visual,
audio, and group interaction tools to chat functions.
Wiki. Collaborative Web pages that can be viewed
and modified by anyone with a Web browser and Internet
access.
References
Ally, M. (2004). Foundations of educational theory for
online learning. In T. Anderson & F. Elloumi (Eds.),
Theory and practice of online learning (pp. 3–31). Alberta,
Canada: Athabasca University.
Anderson, C. (2004, October). The long tail. Wired
Magazine (12.10) Retrieved October 14, 2006 from
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/12.10/tail.html
Ask.com. (2006). Ask search technology. Retrieved October
13, 2006, from http://about.ask.com/en/docs/about
/ask_technology.shtml
Banaszewski, T. (2002). Digital Storytelling Finds Its
Place in the Classroom. Retrieved October 17, 2006,
from http://www.infotoday.com/MMSchools/jan02
/banaszewski.htm
Brown, G., Myers, C. B. & Roy, S. (2003). Formal course
design and the student learning experience. Journal of
Asynchronous Learning Networks, 7(3), 66–76.
Charron, C., Favier, J. & Li, C. (2006, February 13). Social
computing: How networks erode institutional power,
and what to do about it. Forrester Research. Retrieved
October 14, 2006, from http://www.forrester.com
/Research/Document/Excerpt/0,7211,38772,00.html
Clark, R. C. & Mayer, R. E. (2003). E-learning and the
science of instruction. San Francisco: Pfeiffer.
Collison, G., Elbaum, B., Haavind, S. & Tinker, R.
(2000). Facilitating online learning: Effective strategies
for moderators. Madison, WI: Atwood Publishing.
Conrad, D. (2004). University instructors’ reflections on
their first online teaching experiences. Journal of
Asynchronous Learning Networks, 8(2), 31–44.
Cross, J. (2001). eLearning forum update: Peer-to-peer.
Retrieved October 18, 2006, from http://www.learning
circuits.org/2001/jul2001/Cross.htm
20 Education for a Digital World