University looks to web 2.0

18. Apr, 2007 0 Comments

Glasgow Caledonian University is considering using? social networks, podcasts and other web 2.0 innovations to teach and communicate with its students.

From the BBC:

Professor Allison Littlejohn, director of the academy, said the university had already used podcasts to complement, but not replace, lectures by providing background information intended to put the lectures in context.

She added that most students already communicate through the likes of Bebo and MSN messaging in their spare time, but are unaware of the benefits it could have in their learning at university.

Prof Littlejohn hopes the technology will help to make learning more accessible to the internet generation. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

She said: “We have moved to a point where there are loads of different ways of communicating, whether it is by instant messaging, text or websites like Bebo and MySpace. “It is important students know how to make proper use of the technology both inside and outside the classroom to maximise their time and improve their learning. “What we are trying to do is actually making it easier for students to communicate with other students and lecturers both face to face and by using the internet and other technologies.”? BBC article? ?

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Interesting that in all the national media articles covering this story no-one mentions the dominant student social network Facebook, which reaches 80% of students on most campuses. Perhaps because Glasgow Caledonian is one of few UK universities that? has a legacy of? affinity with Bebo.

One issue that universities may be uncomfortable with as they look to communicate through the likes of Facebook and Bebo, is investing in tools which they have no ownership of. If they become reliant on the tools they could find themselves at the mercy of their owners.

Also they may face a dilemma on the role of their existing systems and e-resources. Many? of them? already operate restricted online discussion environments for example.

No doubt commercial site owners will be? rubbing their hands? at the news that universities are taking an interest.