The World Is Open: How Web Technology Is Revolutionizing Education

Discover the dramatic changes that are affecting all learners

Web-based technology has opened up education around the world to the point where anyone can learn anything from anyone else at any time. To help educators and others understand what's possible, Curt Bonk employs his groundbreaking "WE-ALL-LEARN" model to outline ten key technology and learning trends, demonstrating how technology has transformed educational opportunities for learners of every age in every corner of the globe. The book is filled with inspiring stories of ordinary learners as well as interviews with technology and education leaders that reveal the power of this new way of learning.

• Captures the global nature of open education from those who are creating and using new learning technologies
• Includes a new Preface and Postscript with the latest updates
• A free companion web site provides additional stories and information

Using the dynamic "WE-ALL-LEARN" model, learners, educators, executives, administrators, instructors, and parents can discover how to tap into the power of Web technology and unleash a world of information.

Curtis J. Bonk, Ph.D., is professor of Instructional Systems Technology at Indiana University. Drawing on his background as a corporate controller, CPA, educational psychologist, and instructional technologist, Bonk offers unique insights into the intersection of business, education, psychology, and technology. A well-known authority on emerging technologies for learning, Bonk reflects on his speaking experiences around the world in his popular blog, TravelinEdMan. He has written many articles and coauthored several widely used books, including Empowering Online Learning, The Handbook of Blended Learning, and Electronic Collaborators. He is also founder and president of SurveyShare and president of CourseShare.

Prequel: Sharing . . . the Journey.

Introduction to the Open Learning World.

1 We All Learn.

2 To Search and to Scan.

Opener #1: Web Searching in the World of E-Books.

3 E-Demand Around the Globe.

Opener #2: E-Learning and Blended Learning.

4 It's a Free Software World After All.

Opener #3: Availability of Open Source and Free Software.

5 MIT in Every Home.

Opener #4: Leveraged Resources and OpenCourseWare.

6 Portals for the People.

Opener #5: Learning Object Repositories and Portals.

7 Making a Contribution.

Opener #6: Learner Participation in Open Information Communities.

8 Collaborate or Die!

Opener #7: Electronic Collaboration and Interaction.

9 Who Are You?

Opener #8: Alternative Reality Learning.

10 U-Learning?

Opener #9: Real-Time Mobility and Portability.

11 Learning at Your Service.

Opener #10: Networks of Personalized Learning.

12 The Treasures and Traps of This Open Learning World.

Acknowledgments.

Postscript: An Open Letter to the Learners of This Planet.

The Author.

Endnotes.

Index.