Recent Directions in Online Learning

New technologies, or new uses of existing technologies have been described as 'disruptive technologies' in that they allow for new and different ways of doing familiar tasks. Examples of emerging technologies which provide additional channels for oral communications include Skype, a free, Internet-based alternative to the commercial telephone and podcasting. They have been identified as offering 'intriguing opportunities for language professionals and learners'. (Robert Godwin-Jones 2005)

There is a move away from focussing on online content towards utilising the collaborative and interactive features of educational technologies. Emerging collaborative learning environment (CLE) technologies include blogs, wikis, distributed communities linked by RSS and interactive synchronous learning.

Combining blogs with podcasts is a new and innovative way of allowing users to listen and then comment on the blog. An example of a blog with a podcast can be found at http://connect.educause.edu/blog/allanadl

Further links

• The Next Generation of Live Learning
• Postmodern Pedagogy: Teaching and Learning with Generation NeXt