The validation workshop looked at the preliminary results of two studies. First, the group of about 30 experts discussed the intermediate results of an exploratory study that seek to identify and analyse the existing practices related to the Web 2.0 initiatives in the field of learning in Europe. For this reason, a Learning 2.0 database had been set-up where practitioners were able to report their cases. A presentation of this study is available (http://is.jrc.ec.europa.eu/pages/documents/FINALPresentationLearning20Database.pdf)

The second part of the validation workshop focused on the cases studies that had been in two areas: Case study on 'Good Practices for Learning 2.0: Innovation' (http://is.jrc.ec.europa.eu/pages/documents/FINALPresentationLearning20Innovation.pdf) and Case study on 'Good Practices for Learning 2.0: Inclusion' (http://is.jrc.ec.europa.eu/pages/documents/FINALPresentationLearning20Inclusion.pdf).

European Schoolnet experts were able to review these cases where a number of them focused on the work conducted under its auspices, such as Calibrate (LeMill), MELT and eTwinning school collaboration projects. In the future, the Learning 2.0 study will propose avenues for further research and policy-making.

Rational of the Learning 2.0 study

The rapid growth of social computing or web 2.0 applications and supporting technologies (E.g. blogs, podcasts, wikis, social networking sites, sharing of bookmarks, VoIP and P2P services), both in terms of number of users/subscribers and in terms of usage patterns leads to the fact that the phenomena are also increasingly being used in the educational field and for learning purposes. As it enables different types of learning and teaching settings (formal, non-formal and informal), it is an important driver of innovation in learning.

Description

The Learning 2.0 study will:

         1. Identify and analyse the existing practices and related success factors of major web 2.0 initiatives in the field of learning in Europe;
         2. Look at the innovative dimension of using web 2.0 for learning;
         3. Analyse the position of Europe vs. the rest of the world in terms of quantitative and qualitative use of innovative Learning 2.0 approaches;
         4. Discuss the potential of social computing applications to (re)-connect groups at risk-of-exclusion;
         5. Propose avenues for further research and policy-making.


More information available:
http://is.jrc.ec.europa.eu/pages/Learning-2.0.html