This issue of Seminar.net contains three articles that were written in connection with a Norwegian e-learning conference titled “Networked collaboration, sharing and response”. The conference was held in Mars 2008 in Trondheim, and the presentations from the conference is available (in norwegian language) at http://www.nvu.no.
Networked collaboration was chosen as a theme because
collaboration is important to achieve learning, according to the
social-constructivistic pedagogy that has a strong standing in Norway,
but how should this occur on the net? Sharing of content, as in digital
learning resources, is a phenomenon with increasing popularity as
described in the OECD-report “Giving Knowledge for Free”. But to
achieve reuse of content, not only publishing it, it is important with
a networked community where the plethora of information can be sorted
with relevance to specific topics. Response is about guiding, coaching
and tutoring. In what ways may resources and tools be used to move in
the direction of solving Bloom’s two sigma problem/challenge?
The first article, by Morten Flate Paulsen, shows how cooperative learning can be implemented successfully so that students have optimal individual freedom within online learning communities. The second article, by Carl F. Dons, shows how student teachers can be prepared to deal with pupils who have a wide range of experiences of the digital world. The third and last article, by Kristin Dale, is sharing experiences with multiple choice-tests to give midterm responses to students. In addition, this issue has a commentary article by Rune Krumsvik discussing the need to develop new practices for teachers and students on the background of the digital developments.
The conference and articles covers three big themes. It may be difficult to find more important issues, apart from finding money and time to support its development.
Olav Skundberg, guest editor
Associate professor
Sør-Trøndelag University College
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