06/05: New on the Learning Web
The Semantic Web -
If you've been reading up on web trends recently, perhaps you've been puzzled by the term semantic web? Most of us associate semantics with word meaning.
Helpfully, Manu Sporny defines the term and its application to teaching and learning in this animated explanation on YouTube
Tim Berners Lee provides a more detailed definition of the semantic web and a discussion of its potential in this Technorati video
Approaches to Online Learning
Rowin Young on his blog, Rocket Surgery, describes a new non-techie example of social networking: a knit and crochet community, called Ravelry. Many have joined the site, at present, thousands, with over seven thousand on a wait list.
As Young notes, such well designed sites as this, attracting users presumably not particularly versed in computer literacy, drawing users from around the world and supporting its community, could provide learning communities with a valuable model. Unraveling User Choices
Shared Information Drops
Scott Wilson on his blog discusses Drop.io featuring simple private exchange points called drops. The service has no email signup and no accounts. You can use it to store and share anything (pictures, video, audio documents, etc) privately. The site is neither searchable nor networked, however it has an RSS feed to tell you of recent additions. Wilson figures it might be very useful as a place to hand in assignments. Read his blog entry.
Cohere
Cohere is one of the learning tools offered by the Open University (UK). Web based, it generates map layouts of ideas. Cohere visually organizes and enables learners to make connections between ideas, and then share these connections with others. At some point, it seems easier to view and do rather than read about this experimental learning tool.
Here is a short video that shows Cohere in action.
That's it for our first minor collection of some of the newest ideas on the learning web. Tell us what you think and check back regularly for updates and additional information resources.
If you've been reading up on web trends recently, perhaps you've been puzzled by the term semantic web? Most of us associate semantics with word meaning.
Helpfully, Manu Sporny defines the term and its application to teaching and learning in this animated explanation on YouTube
Tim Berners Lee provides a more detailed definition of the semantic web and a discussion of its potential in this Technorati video
Approaches to Online Learning
Rowin Young on his blog, Rocket Surgery, describes a new non-techie example of social networking: a knit and crochet community, called Ravelry. Many have joined the site, at present, thousands, with over seven thousand on a wait list.
As Young notes, such well designed sites as this, attracting users presumably not particularly versed in computer literacy, drawing users from around the world and supporting its community, could provide learning communities with a valuable model. Unraveling User Choices
Shared Information Drops
Scott Wilson on his blog discusses Drop.io featuring simple private exchange points called drops. The service has no email signup and no accounts. You can use it to store and share anything (pictures, video, audio documents, etc) privately. The site is neither searchable nor networked, however it has an RSS feed to tell you of recent additions. Wilson figures it might be very useful as a place to hand in assignments. Read his blog entry.
Cohere
Cohere is one of the learning tools offered by the Open University (UK). Web based, it generates map layouts of ideas. Cohere visually organizes and enables learners to make connections between ideas, and then share these connections with others. At some point, it seems easier to view and do rather than read about this experimental learning tool.
Here is a short video that shows Cohere in action.
That's it for our first minor collection of some of the newest ideas on the learning web. Tell us what you think and check back regularly for updates and additional information resources.
