Adoption of Web 2.0 tools in distance education

Yasemin KOÇAK USLUELSacide Güzin MAZMAN

Hacettepe University, Faculty of EducationDepartment of Computer Education and Instructional Technology

TURKIYE

Introduction

Providing interaction has always been an important issue in distance education.

For quality of learning, satisfaction of students and effective learning outcomes, necessity of different interaction forms as student-student, student-teacher, student-content, has been revealed by different technologies.

Purpose of Study

To explain possible educational utilization of Web 2.0 tools, namely blogs, wikis, podcasts and social networks, from the point of importance of interaction for distance education.

To investigate adoption process of Web 2.0 tools in distance education by defining theories and models which have different construct that effect this process.

Interaction in Distance EducationTechnology plays a key role for;

promoting interaction

delivering education

communication between individuals

Interaction in distance education is not limited to solely audio and video or only teacher-student interactions

Interaction must also represents students’ connectivity feeling with

the distance teacher, aides, peers.

Interaction in Distance Education

Web 1.0 Technologies

• WWW pages

• E-mail

• File Transfer Protocol FTP

•Discussion boards

•Multimedia

• Softwares

One way communication,Published contentUsers as passive consumersInternet as a different channel

Emerging technologies and changing pedagogies bring out the necessity for more effective two way communication, promoting interaction and collaboration, sharing and flexible participation.

Web 2.0

Two way communication User generated content Openness Easy sharing Writing comment and

feedback Rich design RSS feeding Collective Intelligence

DistributedCentralizedSyndicationStickiness

FolksonomyTaxonomyTaggingDirectories

WikisContent Management SystemParticipationPublishing

Search engine optimizationDomain HostWeblogsPersonal Web sitesWikipediaBritannica OnlineWeb 2.0 Web 1.0

Web 2.0 Tools in Distance Education

To fulfill the shortages of Web 1.0, To provide more effective interaction and

collaboration, Investigation has been started in education, for the

ways of using; Blogs Wikis Podcasts Social networks

Blogs

Online diaries No technical skill, to create, publish and organize Dated content, entries, comments, discussion in

chronological order Easy to use and flexible RSS feature

Blogs in educational context

Enhance writing skills, Faciliate self reflection, Encourage critical thinking, Provide collaborative and active learning, Provide feedback, E-portfolios that keep records of personal

development.

Wiki

Free open source software Freely expandable collection of interlinked Web

pages Hypertext system for storing and modifying

information Database where each page is easily edited by any

user. Users can visit wiki, read and add content to wiki or

update and organize content.

Wikis in educational context Support collaborative learning and writing Support project based and inquiry based learning Promote creativity Encourage critical searching Provide easy online updating contentWikis can be used as; Classroom websites, course administration, timetabling Online dictionary Bibliographically organized class or group projects Virtual classes for online collaboration Frequently asked questions (FAQ) for classroom

Podcast Podcast= iPod(portable digital audio player form

apple) + broadcasting. Basically digital audio programs that can be

subscribed to and downloaded by users via RSS and listened to on either a variety of digital audio services or desktop computer.

Podcast in educational context With mobile devices, as another variant of

mobile learning. Eliminating cost and time limitations of

mobile learning Reviewing lectures before exams Listen in on classes missed lessons Students can create their own podcasts for

peers Feel connected to learning community.

Social Networks

Social networks are software that support;

Collaboration

Knowledge sharing

Interaction and communication of users from different places who come

together with a common interest, need or goal.

Social Networks in Educational Context

Social networks can also be viewed as pedagogical tools as they support;

Information discovery and sharing,

Networks of people and connections

Informal learning

Creative, expressive forms of behavior and identity seeking,

Developing a range of digital illiteracies

Adoption of Web 2.0 Tools in Distance Education

There are different models and theories about diffusion, acceptance and adoption of an innovation.

Relative advantage Complexity Trialability Observability Compability Visibility

Attitude Intention Subjective norm Behavior Normative belief Usefulness perception Ease of use perception

Grounded in socio physiological context and focused on internal decision processes at individual level.

Focused on features of innovation and diffusion of new among users in a system.

Adoption of Web 2.0 Tools in Distance Education

Adoption of Web 2.0 tools in distance education context contains many different dimensions, must be taken into consideration such as; Social dimension (student, teacher and others)

Perception and efficacy of users

Media, technology access, cost,

Resources and services etc.,.

Theories and Models

Diffusion of Innovation Theory (Rogers, 2003)

Theory of Reasoned Action (Fishbein&Ajzen,1975)

Theory of Planned Behavior (Ajzen, 1991)

Technology Acceptance Model I and II (Davis, 1989;

Venkatesh and Davis, 2000)

Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology

(Venkatesh et al., 2003)

Adoption of Web 2.0 Tools in Distance Education

When studying in Web 2.0 technologies and distance education context, it is necessary to consider both of the individual decision processes and features of innovation.

Instead of only one diffusion, adoption or acceptance theory and model it can be suggested to investigate Web 2.0 adoption within a holistic view.

Because of; Continuos globalization of information Learning independent from time and place Need for cost effective and quality learning Need for life long learning

“Distance Education” come into question in all levels of education.

Conclusion

Conclusion

Interaction between students, teacher, content etc. has been a major factor since beginning of distance education.

Developments in technology that provides interaction, has brought out necessity of continuous support for process.

Conclusion

As Web 2.0 technologies support interaction process, many advantages of them have also been a response for questions about adoption of these technologies in distance education.

Conclusion

Individuals’ acceptance and usage of technology in system is important for obtaining effective outcomes with these technologies.

There has been many studies in the framework of different models and theories in this field.

Conclusion

It can be suggested that utilization from various and different theories and research methods will strengthen the studies in this field.

While investigating adoption of these tools in distance education, researches for a holistic view by utilizing various theories and models like Venkatesh et al. (2003) may be needed.

Conclusion

Further researches could establish a new model by selecting appropriate constructs from previous models and theories and could examine the adoption of Web 2.0 tools in distance education, by considering both technological characteristics of technology and social factors in distance education as students, teacher etc.

Additionally, except from previous constructs, external new constructs can be included into this model.

Thank you