The World Is Open

Discover the dramatic changes that are affecting all learners Web-based technology has opened up education around the world to the point where anyone can learn anything from anyone else at any time. To help educators and others understand what's possible, Curt Bonk employs his groundbreaking "WE-ALL-LEARN" model to outline ten key technology and learning trends, demonstrating how technology has transformed educational opportunities for learners of every age in every corner of the globe. The book is filled with inspiring stories of ordinary learners as well as interviews with technology and education leaders that reveal the power of this new way of learning. Captures the global nature of open education from those who are creating and using new learning technologies Includes a new Preface and Postscript with the latest updates A free companion web site provides additional stories and information Using the dynamic "WE-ALL-LEARN" model, learners, educators, executives, administrators, instructors, and parents can discover how to tap into the power of Web technology and unleash a world of information.

Introduction to the Open Learning World 1 1 We All Learn 25 2 To Search and to Scan 55 Opener #1: Web Searching in the World of E-Books 3 E-Demand Around the Globe 91 Opener #2: E-Learning and Blended Learning 4 It's a Free Software World After All 139 Opener #3: Availability of Open Source and Free Software 5 MIT in Every Home 163 Opener #4: Leveraged Resources and OpenCourseWare 6 Portals for the People 183 Opener #5: Learning Object Repositories and Portals 7 Making a Contribution 203 Opener #6: Learner Participation in Open Information Communities 8 Collaborate or Die! 249 Opener #7: Electronic Collaboration and Interaction 9 Who Are You? 275 Opener #8: Alternative Reality Learning 10 U-Learning? 293 Opener #9: Real-Time Mobility and Portability 11 Learning at Your Service 327 Opener #10: Networks of Personalized Learning 12 The Treasures and Traps of This Open Learning World 355 Acknowledgments 409 The Author 415 Endnotes 419 Index 461