IBM: Informal Learning in School, University & Business
Munich (GER), November 2008 - Rank-and-file teachers are normally lone fighters. Therefore, an exchange of ideas and information with colleagues beyond school and university walls would be advantageous. It is the basis of informal learning and, as recent studies show, guarantees more interesting education. But there is often a lack of technical resources and proper organisational structures. To resolve this deficit and to strengthen collaboration, IBM offers a combined bundle of software and services.
For example, with ONLIFE, an online platform at the Regional Institute for School and Media in Berlin Brandenburg (Landesinstitut für Schule und Medien Berlin-Brandenburg - LISUM), teachers can collaborate across both school types and subjects. The purpose was not just to build a passive information database to which everybody can have access, but that every member is committed to contributing their own expertise, to develop the existing content, and to provide new angles.
IBM not only provided the software necessary to build this platform but also assigned an expert during implementation. This guaranteed that any changes in familiar processes and responsibilities or the confrontation with additional information overload would not jeopardise the project.
"Open education is not just about technology; it is about new ways of communicating, collaborating, and exchanging information in a way that makes it possible for all students, teachers, and staff members to achieve their full potential", says Michael King, Vice-President IBM Education Industry.
Whether pupil, student, or teacher, all can benefit from active collaboration in the classroom or virtual games, which IBM also offers. For example, in Finland, projects that connect students with small and medium-sized businesses have been launched - activities that link content with reality.
Collaboration solutions also provide added value beyond educational institutions, such as in companies and government agencies. For example, a local government office can directly engage citizens to participate in discussions through the creation of communities. With Lotus Quickr, voluntary staff can coordinate projects whenever they like, and members of an auxiliary fire brigade can enjoy secure online access to a platform that stores all relevant information, files, and discussions. The next step could be a citizen blog using Lotus Connections in order to have even closer communication between the government and citizens.
