RIED: Revista Iberoamericana de Educación a Distancia (Jan 2012)

Information Society and teacher training. E-activities and collaborative learning

  • Miguel Ángel Martín Sánchez,
  • Eloy López Meneses

DOI
https://doi.org/10.5944/ried.1.15.775
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 15, no. 1
pp. 15 – 35

Abstract

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In this article, virtual educational spaces are depicted as new learning communities and contexts, i.e. where (human) interaction and the forging of educational relationships are possible. This does not include, however, other spatial, geographical or temporal limitations. In this study, Internet is presented as a universal tool for both teaching staff and general users. It is used for searching specific information, exchanging ideas, or discussing research. Within the context of this new virtual educational area, the most suitable activities are those that foster the creation of knowledge and that promote experimentation and problem solving in an individual or group context. It also refers to activities that combine students’ previous knowledge with the new contents of virtual courses. In this way, there is greater autonomous learning and problem solving of specific theoretical questions. We also examine core didactic activities that are used in virtual education areas, that is, in terms of collaborative learning.

Keywords