Pedagogy 2.0

While most of us recognize that there are now many new Web 2.0 technologies out there that can be used in online learning, it is often difficult to decide exactly how these can be incorporated effectively and pedagogically into an academic setting. In reality, most instructors are tied to a certain level of content, learning objectives, and context that cannot simply be thrown out in favor of utilizing something more "fun" or "hip". The challenge then becomes: how can we incorporate these tools that we know could be effective in a way that supports the academic goals of instruction?

In this month's issue of Innovate: Journal of Online Education Catherine McLoughlin and Mark J.W. Lee discuss their ideas for incorporating some of these new technologies with currently accepted pedagogies of constructivism and connectivism. In their article, Future Learning Landscapes: Transforming Pedagogy through Social Software they outline ideas for a Pedagogy 2.0, which still contains the familiar areas of content, curriculum, communication, process, resources, scaffolds, and learner tasks, but allows for modification of the way that each of these is approached and delivered, offering more flexibility and opportunities for utilizing social software to enable learners to collaborate and learn from each other more effectively. Included are examples of how other universities and colleges are putting some of these ideas into practice, something that is always extremely helpful for those of us who need help getting ideas.