On Web-based Education, Technology and “Teaching Naked”

March 12, 2010 by Paul Richlovsky

As far back as 2000, education was recognized as a driving force on the Web. An essay by Donald Beagle—”Web-based Learning Environments: Do Libraries Matter?” (PDF)—credits Tim Berners-Lee with noting that Web-based education is one of four major areas that are “driving commercial participation in the World Wide Web Consortium” and “collectively are becoming ‘key to the development of the Web.’ ”

Translation: Web-based education not only impacts education, but also the Web.

Published by the Library & Information Technology Association, the essay explores strategies that allow libraries to have more influence on the development of Web-based learning environments. Another revelation in this essay is how web-based learning was already distinguishing itself from its “traditional” place in distance learning. While most distance learning may be web-based, the converse is certainly not true as web-based learning becomes increasingly popular on college campuses. Furthermore,

“The lines between on and off-campus students and courses are indeed blurring as technology is incorporated into all aspects of education.”

Technology adoption and exclusion

Adapting technology to educational programs is relevant to all types of students. The emergence of technology in the academic world is so significant, in fact, that a backlash has come in the form of the “Teach Naked” movement (started by Southern Methodist University’s José A. Bowe), which encourages professors to leave technology out of the classroom in order to stimulate student attention.

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Related reading
See a March 9 post from this blog, “Go to School in Your Underthings: The Future of Education.” Also see this Google Scholar search for more thought-provoking articles and book titles related to Web-based education.