e-Learning 2.0 at the "Politehnica" University of Timişoara [articol]

Abstract

Learning, as an educational process, has known a significant evolution along the recorded history. After immemorial times, there were the Greek and Roman schools of thought, then the monasteries of the Middle Ages, modern educational reforms after that, as well as countless intermediary stages. During the information age, computer aided learning appeared, which in turn transformed into what today we call e-Learning. With the emergence of the so called "social software", and the WEB 2.0 "revolution", this concept began evolving again. The tools that, at first, allowed regular users to easily create online content, started being used for pedagogical purposes, turning electronic learning (asynchronous, so far), into a two way street. This allows tutors to adapt their teaching style and content, in real time. The tools previously used for informal, social interactions, like the forum, blog, wiki, chat or even the humble email, become essential to the educational process, not only as means of socialization, but as vital instruments of learning. Enter e-Learning 2.0.