Balancing Web and Grid Views in Distributed Learning

By:
Dr. Alexander Vengerov
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The explosive growth of Web 2.0 sites and their user base often leads to the perception of a paradigm switch and coming revolution of old versus new. Although the importance of the social computing and enthusiasm regarding its use are difficult to ignore, some analysts perceive this phenomenon as hype and a bubble which will implode into something simple basic and not-so-influential. The actual fight is perceived as a bigger phenomenon between rather large clusters of methods often representing the polar sides of the offered scales that could be described as Web approach versus Grid approach. Such scales include: resource-centered administration/design versus communicative evolving and self-organization, teacher-controlled knowledge dissemination versus communities of practice, application as a product versus being a mode of communication. The paper states the need of distributed learning support by dynamic balancing of the existing grid-related view on ICT utility and the evolving models of social computing versus shifting from one to another. It also offers an approach to such balancing.


Keywords: social computing, distributed learning, Web 2.0, Grid, autonomy, administration
Stream: Human Technologies and Usability, Technology in Community, Technology in Education, Knowledge and Technology
Presentation Type: Virtual Presentation in English
Paper: Balancing Web 2.0 and Grid Approaches in Distributed Learning Framework

Dr. Alexander Vengerov

professor, Anisfield School of Business, Ramapo College of NJ
Mahwah, New Jersey, USA

Dr Alexander Vengerov is an associate professor of Information Systems at Ramapo College of NJ. He chaired an All-College Teaching and Learning with Technology Committee, and is the president of Syslearn, Inc. developing learning systems and intelligent learning processes, as well as consulting in the area of business and academic organizational learning.

Ref: T07P0240