New Schemas for Mapping Pedagogies and Technologies

Article by Grainne Conole at http://www.ariadne.ac.uk/issue56/conole/

Compares Web 2 characteristics with traditional notions of education. Tension between social and subjective with individualistic and objective philosophies and practice.

Suggests a mapping of technology affordances to different learning theories and concludes that Web 2 is aligned to socially constructed and situated learning because of its emphasis on the collective and the network.

Proposes a pedagogical framework for mapping tools in the way that they are used along three dimensions distilled from learning theories:

• individual versus social
• information versus experience
• passive versus active

Also provides a framework for mapping learning characteristics:

• thinking and reflection
• conversation and interaction
• experience and activity
• evidence and demonstration

These are useful ideas for evaluating the uses of educational technologies particularly the role of the closed LMS (learning management system) in an increasingly networked world where students can choose and control their own learning tools.