Summary of Opener #10:

We are all living in the world where “We-All-Learn”. In this chapter Curtis J. Bonk shows how technology has transformed educational opportunities for learners.

Firstly, Bonk mentioned that online social networking services such as Facebook and MySpace can enhance the process of learning. These social networks focus on building and reflecting of social relations among people. Members are connected together and share common interests and activities. These online social networking providers also allow users to share ideas, activities, events and interests within their individual networks.

At the same time, Bonks also stated that Blogs will provide a communication space in education. A blog is a website that acts as an online journal, a place to post information and a way to keep in touch with others. Bonks also agrees that some blogs function as online diaries. A typical blog combines text, images and links to other blogs, web pages as well as other media. In terms of education, a blog can be used as an important tool for networking and sharing tips between students and teachers. It also allows the dispersing of information to students as well as keeping parents abreast of what is happening in the classroom. Students can utilize blogs whenever there is a curriculum need to develop writing, share ideas and reflect on work being undertaken in the classroom. 

According to Bonk,  the social networking tools has merged with the language learning tools. Some of the best examples are Livemocha, Mixxer and FriendsAbroad. These commercial online language learning communities provide instructional materials on languages and serve as a platform for speakers to interact and help each other to learn new languages. In other words and many ways, they operates like a social networking site. The main advantages of this new web-based educational approach include easy and convenient access to native speakers. It will also increase the motivation and confidence levels among students through social contacts and the creation of a massive pool of expertise on a wide variety of languages.

At the same time, the emergence of online tutoring and mentoring is parallel towards the explosion of online language learning. Companies such as Menor.Net, SMARTTHINKING, TutorVista and Growing StarsOnline are in the business which allows volunteers to work with young people, especially the students, over the Internet. The mentors are within electronic reach.  Online mentoring and tutoring is believed to spark learning growth and mutual support and creativity in leadership. At the same time it embraces technology as the leading edge.  

As a conclusion, Bonk states that in the future years these learning options will boost our learning environment more deeply. At certain stages in the future, we are no longer see personalized learning as the ideal, but as standard and acceptable practice. As such, we will be living in a world where “We-All-Learn”.