Image credit - Leigh Blackall (Learning Networks) CC License Flickr
Part 1 of a series of posts on 'educational' content
Whilst the Internet offers learners plenty of opportunity to take ownership of their learning, construct knowledge, and solve problems; these goals are unlikely to be achieved by simply having access to online content. I am in complete agreement with Harold Jarche when he argues that the real value in educational content lies in what users are able to do with it, in his own words it needs to be "hackable".
Creating good content on a platform that lets users (teachers & learners) add context may be the the real killer application in education. Content developers and institutions have been so concerned with protecting their content that they don’t see where the real value lies
The BBC Learning One Broadband/Clips web pages are a good example of this. The pages host a broad range of good quality video clips which unfortunately cannot be downloaded, re-purposed or even embedded in an online learning resource. This leaves us with Internet television, the clips are diminished in value because they ignore the potential for online learning. To rub salt into the wound the web site provides; (a whole page of..... advice) on how to make a hyperlink, (to a clip), in PowerPoint.
Whilst many other content providers from offer much the same fare; I have highlighted the BBC resource because the BBC is capable of much better....... as the BBC has regularly demonstrated through the quality of its broadcasts, and previous educational projects. One only needs to think back to the BBC Creative Archive and BBC Jam. Indeed, those responsible for the suspension and/or demise of these services should be left in no doubt they have done learning in the UK, (and elsewhere), a great disservice
Well before Web 2.0 and user generated content, came to prominence, learners provided, (albeit anecdotal), evidence, here (Burden & Kuechel, 2003, pg 31 - pdf download ), that their cognitive processes are enhanced by learning from their peers. The sooner content providers begin to 'get it' - the better.
Next in the series: Leave it to us - Content and Curricula
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