Wrap it up week OMDE601

In Harasim's final chapter, she mentions four key areas that are
"already or almost available."
1. Increase in Online Communities of Practice
2. Increase in use of Open Source
3. Increase in Semantic Web
4. Increase in Computing Power and Storage
The Crosslin (2010) piece talks about the semantic web, but gives
something of a different perspective, especially as he takes a more
imaginative leap into Online Learning 10 years in the future.
Do you think Crosslin's scenario sounds reasonable? How is it
similar to Harasim's "In prospect" section? How is it different?
And (you knew this was coming) what about MOOCs? Based on
what you've learned about the history learning theory and online
technologies, what do YOU think online teaching and learning will
look like in, say, 5 or 10 years?
Crosslin (2010) article discusses the perspective of the semantic web and the
leap into Online Learning in the distant future while the Harasim (2012) text
focuses on online learning content that is already being utilized.
The Crosslin (2010) scenario sounds reasonable and is similar to Harasim
(2012), because we are already using some of these methods of online
technology his scenario is just an advanced leap into the future of distance
education. Improved technology is always advancing the issue is will we be
able to keep up with those changes? Harasim (2012) points out that there
will be a need for teachers to invest in professional development and lifelong
learning; so that means Online communities of Practice will be a major force
in the future of distance learning. Classrooms will be transformed in the
online discourse of curriculum and advanced pedagogy to adapt to the
semantic web and open source educational resources that will be abundantly
available to the masses.
The future is already here there is advanced technology out there that some
of us do not know how to use. Some of it is simple technology, but it is the
social technology that we are having a difficult time adapting to. If everyone
was trained on these new technologies that are not so new there would be
no need for online communities of practice. There is a technological

revolution going on right around us, and some are changing with the times,
but there is a lot of resistance in our educational institutions and some are
still stuck in Wave 1, 2 and 3.
The new technology is available but we all dont have access to using the
new technological advances. Economics plays a role in how we are able to
access and learn these future technologies. Having access to personal
computers is very important, some individuals dont even know how to send
an email. Social constructivism has a lot to do with how we as individuals
view technology and education. Teachers and students will almost be forced
into learning these advancing technologies, everyone has not embraced it.
With Open Knowledge the Harasim (2012) text, describes it as being open
and free to use, just as I have seen with certain websites it is free up until a
certain point. If you want to fully utilize some sites or upgrade from the
minimum capacity of the site chances are you will eventually have to pay for
the use of the site, or you will be limited in your use of that technology. Just
because it says free does not mean it is the best resource for you, and it
depends on what youre trying to do with your project or assignment.
And another thing about learning new technology for the future if once you
have been trained, if you dont continue professional development in the
areas of resource development you will have to be re-trained again to keep
up with the upgrades. There will be a lot of self-directed learning in the
future because of the advancement of technology, cell phones, tablets,
calculators and other types of technology is not offered in a classroom online
setting, and only comes with instructions on how to set it up and use it.
Having good literacy skills will be also come into play to enable the
advancement of skills. So the study of learning will also be advanced. The
change in computer processing will change at an increasing rate in the future
and it is already here.
SEE: What is Web 3.0? - About Tech - article
http://webtrends.about.com/od/web20/a/what-is-web-30.htm
MOOCs
Based on what I have learned about the learning and teaching theory of
MOOCs I see some challenges in the future in the next 10 years. Although
MOOCs are community centered online classes and are open and free to
use, the individual will have to self-directed in order to learn with these
courses. MOOCs are just like taking any online course will require a certain
digital literacy as a prerequisite for taking the courses. The time
commitment will have to be realized in order to finish or excel throughout the
course to complete learning objectives, the content and context of the
materials of the MOOC may change constantly; so the future is bright for

MOOCs but you will take courses at your own risk. Some of the information
may be reliable and some may not be. I still think the most reliable open
content information will be from using scholarly journals to make sure you
have correct information. MOOCs are here to stay.

References:
Crosslin, M. (2010). When the future finally arrives: Web 2.0 becomes web
3.0. In M. J. W. Lee & C. McLoughlin (Eds.), Web 2.0-based e-learning:
Applying social informatics for tertiary teaching. Hershey, PA: IGI
Global.
Harasim, L. (2012). Learning theory and online technology. New York:
Routledge.