Reflection to ITEC #830 course

The ITEC #830 course taught by Dr. Kim Foreman during this Sp' 2008 semester was a great course. The course focuses on the emergence of Web 2.0 technologies and their impact on our society in the 21st century. The rapid growth of open source applications, social networks, and the access to the world via the Internet has created new opportunities for everyone to benefit from. These technological advancements are creating avenues that alleviate the social, economical, and cultural barriers which have traditionally inhibited the communication and collaboration of people divided by diversity.
Computers, portable phones with cameras, video cameras and the numerous other portable gadgets has provided everyone with a mean to voice and exchange new information and ideas as they happen. By having access to a variety of social networking communities like MySpace, YouTube, FaceBook,Wikis, Blogs, and other open source tools and applications.the old ways of acquiring and disseminating new ideas and events are changing. New information is produced and exchanged, instantaneously. This accelerated pace has had a significant affect on the future of learning and living in the Digital Ages.
As educators, it is imperative to be aware of and utilize the resources which are available. The traditional pedagogical methods which dominated the teaching strategies of the 1900's must become consistent with the learning styles which people of the 21st century are accustomed to. The learners of today are most effectively taught by incorporating the tools and methods of communicating which they use daily. Multimedia, audio, and visually enhanced information is providing people who are more right-brain oriented to create and express their ideas through these mediums rather than the textual concent, traditionally used.
In this ITEC #830 course, we were introduced to several Web 2.0 tools and technologies, a variety of open source applications, and numerous social networking communities. Dr. Foreman has developed an exemplary curriculum which is innovative and informative. A look into the future of education...