Learning, Unlearning, and Relearning - E-Infrastructures and Technologies for Lifelong Learning - page 294

Chapter 12
Learning, Unlearning,
and Relearning:
Using Web 2.0 Technologies
to Support the Development of
Lifelong Learning Skills
Joanna C. Dunlap
University of Colorado Denver, USA
Patrick R. Lowenthal
University of Colorado Denver, USA
ABSTRACT
Given ever-changing societal and professional demands, lifelong learning is recognized as a critical
educational goal. With postsecondary students' increased demand for online learning opportunities and
programs, postsecondary educators face the challenge of preparing students to be lifelong contributing
members of professional communities of practice online and at a distance. The emergence of powerful
Web 2.0 technologies and tools has the potential to support educators' instructional goals and objec-
tives associated with students' professional preparation and the development of lifelong learning skills
and dispositions. In this chapter, the authors explain how postsecondary educators can use the Web 2.0
technologies associated with blogging, social networking, document co-creation, and resource sharing
to create intrinsically motivating learning opportunities that have the potential to help students develop
the skills and dispositions needed to be effective lifelong learners.