Title: Students' readiness for informal learning using Web 2.0 services

Authors: Željka Požgaj; Nikola Vlahovi?

Addresses: Department of Informatics, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Zagreb, Trg J.F. Kennedyja 6, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia. ' Department of Informatics, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Zagreb, Trg J.F. Kennedyja 6, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to recognise the role of web services on learning process especially on informal learning. Web 2.0 presents the new concept of web services that strongly promote the development of communication and interactivity between users. The technology is the same, but the way of use is different. New services such as services for social networks creation, wiki pages, tools for communication, etc., are developed. From educational aspect, the necessity of permanent learning increasingly relies on informal methods of accepting new knowledge and skills. Informal learning is a type of non-formal learning where person learns from everyday situations and problems. It is based on communication, interchange of ideas, acceptance and development of new knowledge and skills. Web 2.0 services present nearly an ideal way for informal learning development. User becomes an active participant in knowledge creation, knowledge interchange with other users, development of new cognitions and transforming these cognitions into new forms. The paper will present some of the results of a survey carried out at Faculty of Economy and Business about students| inclination towards social networking, wiki, blog, video sharing and other services and their potential as informal learning tools.

Keywords: learning processes; informal learning; Web 2.0; student readiness; web services; communication; user interactivity; social media; internet; world wide web; blogs; blogging; social networking; networks; wiki pages; permanent learning; new knowledge; new skills; non-formal learning; everyday situations ;everyday problems; ideas; active participants; knowledge creation; knowledge interchange; new cognitions; cognition transformation; video sharing; University of Zagreb; Croatia; computers; universities; higher education.

DOI: 10.1504/IJKL.2011.043895

International Journal of Knowledge and Learning, 2011 Vol.7 No.1/2, pp.113 - 129

Published online: 31 Jan 2015 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article