smlogs

Virtual worlds can be used in learnign as they can be the platforms for virtual classrooms and encourage experiential learning through the requirement of self directive learning and social discussion. Students can be encouraged to search for additional learning materials and discussion content with people from aroudn the world who have differing skills, knowledge and experience.

Synchronous communication refers to the forms of communication which occur in real-tme, some examples are MSN Messenger, Parts of SECOND LIFE and Web conferencing.

Synchronous communication is immediate and works almost the same as a normal conversation in that feedbacnk and information is immediately available… examples of this are conferencing in company meetings, web classrooms, communication for distance assignments and distant learning.

Current drivers for synchronous communication include the ability to attin information at anytime anywhere.

Asynchronous communication refers to the forms of communication that are not conducted in realtime and not all participants need to be present at one time to transmit informaiton. Exampels inclue Discussion boards, forums and blogs.

Benefits of this technology are that information transmitted is often stored and can be retrieved for later reference. Some drivers for this technology are the increased needs for collaborative learning in organisations and in schools.

Web-based appilications are technologically based forms of communication and sources of information that can be applied as a complementary component or programs such as facebook.

Web 2.0 refers to a new generation of web-based applications such as Ebay, Flickr & RSS.

Web 2.0 focuses on the facilitation of creativity, information sharing and collaboration.

Web-based applications that I am familiar with include Weblogs, Wikis, Chats, Podcasting, Web conferencing, RSS&Aggregation, Social Networking, e-Portfolios and Virtual Worlds.

Applications that I would like to explore further include Podcasting, e-portfolios and RSS.

 RSS is a group of web feed formats used to publish things such as blogs and websites that are frequentl updated. It is a summary of the text that is in a website so that people can keep up to date with information.

RSS can be used in this subject to provide student with update that can range from lecture material to classroom changes and additional informaton that needs to be known.

Aggregation in the combining of multiple RSS feeds such as in a program like NETVIBES. 

The 6 key emerging technologies identified by the 2008 report are:
- Grassroots
- Collaboration Webs
- Mobile Broadband
- Data Mashups
- Collective Intelligence
- Social Operating Systems

Grassroots Video, Mobile Broadband and Collective Intelligence are three forms of technology, which have been mentioned in the 2008 report that I recognise or have used in the past.
Grassroots Videos are used to share videos for a variety of purposes and they are also known as video sharing websites.. a very well known current website that has been popular is YouTube.
Mobile broadband is now accessible from most mobile phones in the forms of ’Planet 3′, ‘Optus World’ and ‘Vodafone Live’, which provde users the ability to access RSS feeds as well as podacasts or other prescriptions from their mobile handset. 
Collective intelligence is the final form that I am accustomed to in the form of wikipedia.

Grassroot videos have been presented in lectures to show presentations by leading theorists, which would not have been as effective or possible if it had been shown in any other way.
Collective intelligence is also used in group presentations through the use of a wiki.

 The emerging technologies of 2007  are prevalent in many learning context and are very much a part of higher education and learning. Virtual worlds, social networking, user created context, distance education and educational gaming have all become a very realistic aspect of current technology.