Electronic Collaborators: Learner-centered Technologies for Literacy, Apprenticeship, and Discourse

by Curtis J. Bonk (Editor)

Two developments in recent years have converged to dramatically alter most conceptions of the teaching and learning process. First, technology has become increasingly interactive and distributed, such that individual learners have available the means to participate in incredibly complex networks of information, resources and instruction. As these technological advancements facilitate interaction across classroom, university and worldwide learning communities in both real-time and delayed formats, various instructional design and implementation problems spring forth. Second, the conventional teacher-centred model wherein knowledge is transmitted from the teachers to the learner is being replaced by social constructivist and learner-centred models of instruction. These new learner-centred models place emphasis on guiding and supporting students as they meaningfully construct their understanding of various cultures and communities.

432 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1998