TechnologyLeadershipBookSummary

Curtis Bonk tells stories on how technologies of tomorrow are already changing the way we learn today. He fashioned the WE-ALL-LEARN model which provides us with what is needed in order for education to be provided to anyone in the world at anytime for free. He uses the WE-ALL-LEARN model to explain these ten things that need to happen to open the door for learning for everyone for free: Web Searching in the World of E-Books, E-Learning and Blended Learning, Availability of Open Source and Free Software, Leverage Resources and OpenCourseWare, Learning Object Repositories and Portals, Learner Participation in Open Information Communities, Electronic Collaboration and Interaction, Alternative Reality Learning, Real-Time Mobility and Portability, and Networks of Personalized Learning. (Bonk, 2009) Bonk mentions stories of projects that are happening right now in which books are available online. There are currently businesses and universities that are creating digitized books and scanning published books into digital libraries which will eventually one day hold every book ever written. (Bonk, 2009) He mentions the current availability of online courses throughout the world. He gives examples of how online learning has changed many people’s lives by giving them a choice to learn on their own time. He mentions the availability of free or open source software alternatives which could greatly reduce costs to districts and provide low cost machines for under privileged children. He talks about how current institutions, such as MIT, which have provided the world access to its content on its website for free, allowing not only students from other colleges to learn what students from MIT are learning, but other institutions are also able to use the material as well. Anyone on the internet can learn anything they want from these colleges for no cost at all. He talks about websites like Wikipedia, where people can view, add and edit information on all different types of topics. With the creation of wiki site, we can contribute our knowledge onto the web for the whole world to see. He tells stories on how technology has allowed people and students from all around the globe to collaborate with in seconds at the click of a button. He mentions the use of virtual reality websites that are now allowing people or students to have access to viewing the world without leaving their computers. He talks about how the wireless access availability is spreading to all parts of the world giving more people the chance to be connected. According to Bonk, as long as we move forward and focus on the WE-ALL-LEARN model, the future of education will be changing for the better. Technology will give people around the world more opportunities to learn from anyone, at anytime, at any place.
 * Technology Leadership Book Summary **

= Cited = Bonk, C. J. (2009). //The World is Open.// San Francisco: Josey-Bass.