University of West Georgia



This discussion 3 podcast features a lecture and discussion with Stephen Downes hosted by Steven Hargadon. I have summarized the main points of the interview while addressing the following questions:

1. What is the "personal learning environment?"

Moodle is a Learning Management System (LMS)- layer of education functionality used in educational environments. Tools that provide learning for "its" students. The contrast to LMS is PLE owned by student and not facility for a student to access content to make learning "personal" includes web 2.0 and RSS tools with other new technology.

2. Do Web 2.0 applications really have the power to change education?

Web 2.0 applications has changed the way people learn already so it will continue to change education with new technologies. Web 2.0 has allowed students to learn "outside" the classroom in an informal environment.

3. Why is that power potentially transformative?

Allows all to be able to become producers of video with creative tools and expressive software. Sharing ideas and collaboration is innovative and transformative.

4. What are your opinions (experiences?) with home schooling?

Home schooling can now take advantage of all latest web 2.0 tools for learning as other schools. Less a phenomenon in Canada. More control and less collaboration with others as students are self- learners. Confliction of technology as parents are concerned with "disruptive" influences. Limits ability for interaction with elective classes in band, drama and other extra curricular activities.

5. What role should technology play in home schooling?

Home schooling should become an extension of public schools. Complete isolation for some students and it may be detrimental to development and growth.

6. What is open source software?

Open source software is free software with open content for all. Desktop Operating Systems include Ubuntu by Linux. Free for all including students and school systems. There is no need to pay for software while everything is being developed for free. However, students should not sacrifice programs for free software, case by case. Commercial products may be the only available option for quite a while as new programs are developed.

7. How does it effect learning management systems?

A LMS switching over from commercial to open source systems is effected by these services including blackboard. This company cannot be the primary source of content of all recourses. Example codec for video and DRM working with free content locks in these commercial companies.

8. How does the public school system keep technology innovations "down?"

Schools "block" some new technology unless it is using commercial products/software. School systems afraid of being sued and/or not getting/losing funding. Open Source is not used based on this reason.

Other Important issues:

✓ Design Specialist- OL Dailey- New and Current Technology Information and Developments

✓ Field Of Learning Networks- Personal Learning Environments in education today

✓ Education is used as a propaganda tool

✓ Video editing and other tools are now being used by many "average" people.

✓ innovation= collaboration in technologies bridge ideas together

✓ School system will reshape new ideas and adoption/ implementation of new technologies

✓ Students collaborate outside adult supervision with new technologies including social sites and online learning.

✓ Younger people do not rely on institutions as much as other generations because of this new technology.

✓ Marketing to schools is not effectively collaborated with commercial companies with their solicitations. Primary interest is not the same as intent of public schools.

✓ Intent is to make money he compares this to healthcare in America today.

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