JOSEFINA QUINTERO JIMÉNEZ New Learning Environments

Master in English language teaching-autonomous learning environments

Universidad de la Sabana, Bogotá, Colombia

Using their own laptops while interacting in class, allow the students to search additional information on the Web (Loman, C. & Oblinger, D., 2006).

…OBSOLETE …MODERN

Students can find plenty of gathering places for studying, collaborating, and socializing as the university is equipped with ubiquitous wireless access to the Internet.

Teacher-centered

Lecturer

Competition

Low-order-thinking

Fixed spaces

Student-centered

Facilitator

Collaboration

High-order-thinking

Mobile spaces

Teaching is evolving from the old to the new learning environments.

• A proposition is made:

• BLENDED COURSES/CLASSES

The teacher became a facilitator.

Students are actively engaged.

The Internet has created a high-powered learning platform (Pallof & Pratt, 2007).

Synchronous and asychronous communication(Loman, C. &

Oblinger, D., 2006).

Text messaging, twitter, facebook.

Various tools to communicate throught the Internet.

Technology seen as an enabler of learning…and of creating connections (Siemens, 2003)

The academic community is rapidly changing from strictly physical settings to a dual approach using digital technology.

A community seen as a group of people with similar purposes and goals.

Interaction, collaboration, and understanding of each other lead to learning.

Information flows in two-ways. (Bickford, D & Wright, D., 2006)

Virtual environments

Technology as a

supplement

Working independently

Lessen pressure

Increase engagement

Own pace

Interaction and

collaboration (guided)

Students communicate, publish and exchange ideas in social networks.

Formal and Informal

learning environments are more effective (Reynard, R., 2009).

Technology fosters community and information exchange (Bickford & Wright, 2006)

REFERENCES

Brown, M. (2005) Learning Spaces. In Educating the Net Generation, Educause. Retrieved from http://www.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/pub7101b.pdf [Available as EResource]

Oblinger, D., & Oblinger, J. (Eds.) (2006). Learning Spaces. Educause. Retrieved from http://www.educause.edu/learningspaces Chapter 4 and Chapter 5. [Available as E-Resource]

Palloff, Rena and Pratt, Keith (2007). Building Online Learning Communities, Wiley, Chapter 2.

Reynard, R. (2009) Designing Learning Spaces for Instruction, not Control. CampusTechnology. Retrieved from http://www.campustechnology.com/Articles/2009/04/29/Designing-Learning-Spacesfor Instruction-not-Control.aspx [Available as E-Resource]

Siemens G., (2003). Learning Ecology, Communities, and Networks: Extending the Classroom. elearnspace. Retrieved on September 1, 2006, from http://www.elearnspace.org/Articles/learning_communities.htm [Available as EResource]