For example, in the school where I work we only have 100 electronic devices between iPods and chromebooks but we have more than 1000 students. More than 60% of those students are adults. It is really sad to see that some of those students do not know how to turn on a computer. Most students have not used a computer in their lives. In addition, they do not have the economic resources to buy their own computer. According to the article, there are already various thousands of sets, of course material and modules online for any topic that a student is passionate about. There is probably an online niche community of practice of others who have the passion for the same topic (Brown, J. S., & Adler, R. P., 2008). Students with lack of electronic devices will not have access to all the valuable sources available to them over the Internet. In addition, the students in disadvantage do not have access to the informal learning or the learning via the online social networks. As a result, they are not being prepared for the new technology era. On the other hand, one strength in virtual environments and social networks is that nowadays millions of people have access to colleges and universities, training centers, technical schools, libraries, museums, archives and science centers worldwide. People have the opportunity to learn without leaving their homes. Virtual learning eases people lives because people are able to manage their time according to their needs. Within this kind of education people also have access to social learning, giving them the opportunity to “learning to be” that is an aspect of social learning. For example, many of my ESL students during the school’s health fair manifested their interest on becomes nurses. One of the presenters was excited about it and
For example, in the school where I work we only have 100 electronic devices between iPods and chromebooks but we have more than 1000 students. More than 60% of those students are adults. It is really sad to see that some of those students do not know how to turn on a computer. Most students have not used a computer in their lives. In addition, they do not have the economic resources to buy their own computer. According to the article, there are already various thousands of sets, of course material and modules online for any topic that a student is passionate about. There is probably an online niche community of practice of others who have the passion for the same topic (Brown, J. S., & Adler, R. P., 2008). Students with lack of electronic devices will not have access to all the valuable sources available to them over the Internet. In addition, the students in disadvantage do not have access to the informal learning or the learning via the online social networks. As a result, they are not being prepared for the new technology era. On the other hand, one strength in virtual environments and social networks is that nowadays millions of people have access to colleges and universities, training centers, technical schools, libraries, museums, archives and science centers worldwide. People have the opportunity to learn without leaving their homes. Virtual learning eases people lives because people are able to manage their time according to their needs. Within this kind of education people also have access to social learning, giving them the opportunity to “learning to be” that is an aspect of social learning. For example, many of my ESL students during the school’s health fair manifested their interest on becomes nurses. One of the presenters was excited about it and