Web 2.0 vs. e-learning… reflection

Previous statement… Posted yesterday.

“…the proposed research will not focus on the concepts of e-learning since I consider a fundamental difference between the learning practices and methods within web 2.0 social networks and the instructional nature
of e-learning methods. The concept of e-learning will however be
discussed and partly analyzed to emphasize the unique nature or learning
within web 2.0 social networking environments.”.......................................

I realized that this statement was a “little-bit” unclear to say the least… This statement indicates that e-learning is an overall different thing that learning within the social web, when a counterargument would
say that e-learning is a term that covers all aspects of using
electronic or digital media for learning – kind of like an umbrella
phenomenon.

This is convenient and probably easier to understand when discussing computerized learning. But… E-learning, as the concept is used to explain the use of electronic and digital media for learning; learning
based on communication between teacher and student or peers and the
delivery of learning content, while learning in a social network
environment shares some of the electronic and digital parts the
different is visible when it comes to the communication and handling of
content.

Today’s e-learning methods and practices are instructional in nature where students get delivered content to them and communicate with a mentor figure directing the student’s research and learning process. The
web 2.0 social network environments learning are in contrast an open
ended information seeking and knowledge transformation process where the
student is in total control.

The basic goal is for the student to build up a knowledge base over time on relevant subjects and openly share the findings. The student uses the open nature of social environments to go on a real educational
journey of discovery, not a journey of discovery directed by the
academic establishment and its enforcers.

Or what…