web environment enhances learning

I am personally a big fan of virtual learning. The possibilities of finding something interesting is immense. The challenge is to stay focused and not be distracted.

After one academic year of studying virtually, I am more than sure that the web environment enhances learning. The web provides all published information available for learners to explore and we can step by step learn more in our own pace. Since we are our own bosses in information searching, we can focus on the aspects that are most interesting to ourselves. This helps us maintain our interest and enhances learning. 

When I talk about a web environment  I am not talking about virtual platforms like moodle or Optima. I mean the whole virtual world. I think that is an important factor to take into consideration. A virtual learning platform can be the place for important information (learning goals, tasks, assessment etc) but for real learning, the student must be allowed and encouraged to look for answers themselves. That is when can stumble on something very interesting and when we learn something new, often unexpectedly.  

During spring, I tested a method where I asked students to do short assignments virtually. The lessons where usually quite long, a total of 3 hours, so individual work was welcome. The idea was to find interesting tasks for the students, something interesting to them, something real. I had read Marc Prensky's Digital Natives, and was sure there is some truth to his work. I also have a long educational history myself and have always had trouble listening for a long time. 

The feedback from the students was encouraging. Doing research on the computer was a top way of learning. They liked the freedom to find out things by themselves. For me, that was the first steps into collaborative learning, which is the absolutely the most fun way of learning virtually.