Social, Personalized Lifelong Learning - E-Infrastructures and Technologies for Lifelong Learning - page 92

Chapter 4

Social, Personalized
Lifelong Learning

Alexandra Cristea
University of Warwick, UK

Fawaz Ghali
University of Warwick, UK

Mike Joy
University of Warwick, UK

ABSTRACT

This chapter discusses a challenging hot topic in the area of Web 2.0 technologies for Lifelong Learning:
how to merge such technologies with research on personalization and adaptive e-learning, in order to
provide the best learning experience, customized for a specific learner or group of learners, in the con-
text of communities of learning and authoring. The authors of this chapter discuss the most well-known
frameworks and then show how an existing framework for personalized e-learning can be extended, in
order to allow the specification of the complex new relationships that social aspects bring to e-learning
platforms. This is not just about creating learning content, but also about developing new ways of learn-
ing. For instance, adaptation does not refer to an individual only, but also to groups, which can be groups
of learners, designers or course authors. Their interests, objectives, capabilities, and backgrounds need
to be catered to, as well as their group interaction. Furthermore, the boundaries between authors and
learners become less distinct in the Web 2.0 context. This chapter presents the theoretical basis for this
framework extension, as well as its implementation and evaluation, and concludes by discussing the
results and drawing conclusions and interesting pointers for further research.

INTRODUCTION

recently knowledge society) through which the po-
tential exists for those who want to learn (Fischer,
2001). Lifelong learning is not restricted just to
formal learning in schools and universities, but
also throughout our life, at work and at home, and

Lifelong learning (Aspin & Chapman, 2000) is
a key element of our information society (and