February 2009 - Social Software

This month we are focusing on social software, what it is, some of the research associated with it, and how it can be used to better engage students in learning.

Podcast - Social Software

An podcast interview with Dr. Terry Anderson, Athabasca University, by Dr. Bill Muirhead.

Play it / hear it - MP3 - 14 minutes

Distance learning: Social software's Killer app?
by T. Anderson

This paper discusses the challenges of developing modes of distance education that afford maximum freedom for learners—including the ability to enroll continuously and to pace one’s own learning—and yet still create opportunities to work cooperatively in learning communities with other students. A paper presented at the ODLAA, Adelaide.

www.unisa.edu.au/odlaaconference/PPDF2s/13%20odlaa%20-%20Anderson.pdf

Living and Learning with New Media: Summary of Findings from the Digital Youth Project
by M. Ito, H. Horst, M. Bittani, d. boyd, B. Herr-Stephenson, P.G. Lange, C.J. Pascoe and L. Robinson

The findings of three years of research on kids' informal learning with digital media. The site includes a two-page summary as well as a 30-page document prepared for the MacArthur Foundation’s Digital Media and Learning Series.

http://digitalyouth.ischool.berkeley.edu/report

Leveraging Web 2.0 in the redesign of a graduate-level technology integration course
by Kevin Oliver

This article reviews the redesign of a graduate level technology course and the implementation and use of interactive media for content delivery and assignments. Found at the UOIT Library.

http://scholarsportal.info.uproxy.library.dc-uoit.ca/cgi-bin/sciserv.pl?collection=journals&journal=87563894&issue=v51i0005&article=55_lw2itroagtic

Other Resources:

Collectives, Networks and Groups in Social Software for E-Learning
by J. Dron, J. & T. Anderson

A paper presented at the Proceedings of World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education, Quebec.

www.editlib.org/index.cfm/files/paper_26726.pdf

Contact is the University of Ontario Institute of Technology's monthly e-newsletter bringing you the latest information on teaching and learning. Contact podcasts are also available for subscription free from the iTunes Music Store - just search on UOIT.

Feel free to pass along this newsletter to anyone you feel would benefit from this information. Have them e-mail us at contact@uoit.ca if they want to be added to the mailing list.

Visit the Contact Web site at http://www.uoit.ca/teachingandlearning/contact to see past issues.

Contact is produced by the Office of the Associate Provost, Teaching and Learning, University of Ontario Institute of Technology.