ICL Workshop 01

Next Generation e-Learning: from Web 2.0 to Web 3.0

Prof. Vassil Alexandrov, University of Reading, UK

As the world begins to understand the Web 2.0 concept, ideas on how to apply this platform are beginning to emerge. It is beginning to be clear how the transitions from receiver to producer of information, from static to dynamic contents, from control of the few to the wisdom of the crowds, from leaning of software to the use of services can be used for learning, specifically collaborative learning. Nevertheless, two new approaches are also making progress on the educational technology arena: games and 3Di technology. They share one single characteristic: they are synchronic, but in everything else they are different. In game based programming we use competition as motivator. Learning is the result of competitive interaction. In Web 3.0’s 3D interactive technology (3Di) the motivation is real-life like interaction and learning is the result visualization and collaboration. In such environments students contribute their own elements of learning using platforms that instead of managing learning provide value transfer of learning objects and orchestrate resources for learning. These approaches seem promising. Nevertheless there is one big caveat, one that is as old as gaming, 3D and interaction technology. There is evidence that the skills acquired in synthetic environments, such as software games and virtual worlds do not transfer to real-life. The purpose of this workshop is to review new approaches to education based on gamming, Web 3Di technology and collaboration, this is what we call Web 3.0. The key topics are:  

• Web 2.0, 3Di and i-3D technology and learning
• Game Based Learning
• Collaborative virtual environments and learning
• 3D Visualization and learning
• 3D Synchronous learning
• Dynamic knowledge discovery
• Advanced educational/pedagogical models
• Visualization and interaction as motivators for learning
• Active learning through virtual environments

Contributions:

• Designing Integrated Learning Process for Web 3.0 Environments for Education: Nia Alexandrov*,  Vassil Alexandrov*, Raul Ramirez-Velarde**; *ACET Centre, The University of Reading , **ITESM -Campus Monterrey
• Enhancing Engagement: Mobility Tools in ACET Virtual Classrooms: Ismael Bhana, David Johnson; ACET Centre, The University of Reading
• Games and e-learning: Nina Cherenkova,  Nia Alexandrov; ACET  Centre, The University of Reading
• Developing Interactive 3D Worlds for Education: Nia Alexandrov*,  Vassil Alexandrov*, Raul Ramirez-Velarde**; *ACET Centre, The University of Reading ,**ITESM -Campus Monterrey
• Is Virtual Reality a memorable experience in an educational context? Ronan Jamieson, ACET Centre, The University of Reading
• Semantic Learning Object Metadata Repositories - Architecture and Integration: Elena Mena*, Nikolaos Korfiatis**, Daniel Rodriguez* and Salvador Sanchez-Alonso*; *University of Alcala, ** Copenhagen Business School

• Vassil Alexandrov, MSc, Moscow State University, Russia, PhD, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Bulgaria. Professor in Computational Science (since 2002) and Director of the Centre for Advanced Computing and Emerging Technologies, University of  Reading, since 2003.
• Raul Ramirez-Velarde,  MSc and PhD, Tecnologico de Monterrety, Campus Monterrey, Mexico; and Member of the Nacional Accreditation Council for Informatics and Computation (CONAIC), Mexico.
• Nia Alexandrov, MSc, Sofia University of Technology, Sofia, Bulgaria
• Ismail Bhana,  MSc, University of Reading, UK
• Nina Cherenkova, MSc, University of Reading, UK
• David Johnson, MSc, University of Reading, UK
• Ronan Jamieson, MSc, University of Reading, UK
• Teeroumanee Nadan, University of Reading, UK
• Daniel Rodriguez, Ph. D., University of  Reading, UK