New e-Learning Environments: e-Merging Networks in the Relational Society

Abstract

It was only a few seasons ago that explorations into the remote frontiers of the e-learning field invited venturing into blended learning, mobile learning, networked learning or maybe into complex adaptable e-learning systems, if we were really adventurous learning technologists. Web 2.0 culture artefacts and other technology-based options were made available to integrate them into our regular practice: instant messaging and blogging, Yahoo® Groups, professional or social network memberships or Skype® video-conferencing on one hand. Radio chat broadcastings, SharePoint® Docs, purpose-built forums within on-line communities, or regular webinars on the other. Any of them would seemingly increase our sense of learning and connectivity. However, just a season later, with Second Life® and other like-environments, we joined Manuel Castells (Castells, 2004) and others in witnessing the Rise of the Network Society, as well as a relentless shift from the knowledge-based societies into relational-based economies and societies (Allen, et.al., 2009).