Thursday, October 15, 2009

# 2 Web 2.0

I believe that Web 2.0 will be our new form of public forums, message boards and libraries. So much information is now online and within reach of millions of people. The old institutions for the dissemination of information are falling by the wayside and will soon be rendered obsolete.

Libraries, Archives and even schools are feeling the impact of the globalization of information on the Web. Many public libraries are reducing the printed volumes of research and academic material they carry in favor of adding computer terminals for patrons to use. Considering how quickly the information has been changing in areas, such as science, most printed works are soon found to be inaccurate or incomplete within a short span of time.

By utilizing the resources on the web scientists, researchers, and educators can quickly access vast amounts of emerging data. By having easy access to the latest research educators can teach students what is relevant to them at that point in their lives not what was relevant to their parents.

The only drawback to the Web at this point in time is that there is not a way to stop or remove the inaccurate information that is being propagated alongside the correct information. As publishing houses of old - the Web is in desperate need of fact verifiers and editors!

#1 Reflections on Lifelong Learning

When I reviewed the 7 Habits of Lifelong Learners the idea that jumped out at me was the belief that it’s never too soon or too late to learn something new. As I have gotten older and my free time has gotten shorter I sometimes think that it's "too late" to try to learn something new.

One habit that will be the most important to me over the duration of this course is to view problems as challenges to overcome. I have frequently passed up opportunities to try new things, thinking "I don't have enough time in the day as it is". What the 7 Habits showed me is that I need to think of other ways to find the time or make adjustments to my schedule.

One of the Habits that will be the easiest for me during the duration of this course is the use of technology. My previous career and education were in the field of technology and I have become very familiar with using new and emerging technology.