Citazione: V. Di Lecce, A. Giove, A. Quarto, VET: a tool for e-learning 2.0, 8th European Conference on e-Learning (ECEL 2009), 29 - 30 October, 2009, Bari - Italy - pp. 156-164, ISBN: 978-1-906638-52-8
Abstract: Web based virtual worlds, social network, and more generally web 2.0 applications have been significantly impact on the e-learning. The real innovation is not purely technological, but social. In this context, our paper analyzes how to build a virtual environment tool that can take advantage of those web based training applications that are currently popular under the name: e-learning 2.0. The goal is structuring a Virtual Classroom being compliant with e-learning 2.0 standards and the social network approach, thus promoting the so called “collective knowledge” construction. The virtual environment tool (here referred to as VET) can be seen as a separate component easily integrable in any e-learning system. The two main types of computer mediated communication, asynchronous and synchronous, have been exploited to the utmost just for promoting the collaborative learning following the strengths of social software. Chat, forum, web tv and other communication tools were integrated in the chosen e-learning environment with regard to the training needs, always emphasizing the active role of every part involved in the learning process. The environment, based on open source software, presents a two- layer structure: on one hand there is the social network framework providing typical interaction functionalities accessible by all registered students that can freely communicate and cooperate without the trainer presence and on the other hand there is a different level of collaborative learning characterized by the virtual classroom, where the presence of the instructor is required. The here presented architecture shows a synergistic combination of web 2.0 applications in a single one for crossover e-learning purposes. The potential users can be found both inside and outside the academic setting. Moreover, the possible integration of advanced feedback sensors would be very advantageous for the developing specific assessment applications of the proposed environment.
Keyword: e-learning, social network