We’ve heard lots of talk about the revolutionary nature of Web 2.0, the conversion of whole populations from passive receivers of information (and propaganda) into active citizens and critical consumers and content-creators. Skeptics don’t buy it, at least not all of it. I’d put the hype component at around 90 percent. But that does leave 10 percent of innovative, engaging, informative colloquy in the Web 2.0 universe, and readers of Brainstorm may find an example of it here at a site called “The Future of Education: Charting the Course of Teaching and Learning in a Networked World.”
Among the features is a forum hosted by Steve Hargadon, and if you look at the line-up of guests he has in the coming weeks you’ll see that it presents leading voices in various discussions and controversies over the Digital Age. The roster include James Paul Gee, Larry Johnson, Clay Shirky, and Dan Pink. Their appearances are in the form of a kind of seminar in which Hargadon interviews the guest for a half hour or so while the audience writes comments and questions that appear on the page. Host and guest can see the feedback unfold and respond during the chat. Then, Hargadon opens the discussion to everybody, and people can ask questions and make points orally.
I was on last week, and Hargadon asked pointed questions and allowed adversarial attendees full space to weigh in. The project is an excellent specimen of the best kind of intellectual engagement, which wouldn’t be possible without digital technology.
