Web 2.0 and Social Software: Challenges and Complexity of Communication in Education

Authors:
Helle Mathiasen;Lynne Schrum
Affiliations:
University of Aarhus, Aarhus, Denmark;George Mason University, Fairfax VA, USA
Venue:
USAB '08 Proceedings of the 4th Symposium of the Workgroup Human-Computer Interaction and Usability Engineering of the Austrian Computer Society on HCI and Usability for Education and Work
Year:
2008

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Abstract

This paper begins with an exploration of the changes that new Web tools and social software have fostered in communication in educational settings. It uses the framework of Luhmann to examine the complexity of these changes, and the potential to promote student centered learning. Through three case studies of student projects, the initial examination of an evolving educational investigation, results demonstrate the challenge for teachers to take on new roles, the reality that students' learning styles continue to drive their preferences, and the need for all teachers to understand more fully the possibilities and potential these tools offer for some students. The paper ends with a call for further research in this area.