George Siemens discussed the growing acceptance of distance education in today’s corporate and educational spheres. One of his possible elements of distance education that has created a more effective learning experience is collaboration. This concept of distance education can “…translate into the corporate environment where you have 3 or 4 people in different offices around the world” (Siemens, 2008) working collaboratively on a project.
The Wiki is an example of an online tool that can help facilitate collaborative interactions among learners. Wikis are a type of sever software that allows individuals to come together asynchronously to freely compile and edit information (Wiki, 2002). According to Dr. Dede (2008), wikis allow people to collaborate in a virtual space. He aptly states, it is “kind of the equivalent of sitting around the conference table and having a piece of butcher paper and being able to develop together …interesting ideas” (Dede, 2008). As this tool is utilized in the distance education classrooms, it allows for the co-construction of knowledge.
Diffusion and Integration of Technology in Education. Laureate Education, Inc. (2008). Baltimore: Author.
Laureate Education, Inc. (2008). Principles of Distance Education. Baltimore: Author.
What is a wiki. (2002, June 27). Retrieved from http://wiki.org/wiki.cgi?WhatIsWiki.
Great thoughts Krista. One of the major benefits of collaborative interaction is the whole idea of Knowledge construction and of course problem solving.
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