Learning 2.0: The future of learning in the Petroleum Industry.
Authors: McKevitt Peadar 
Published: February 2016

Learning 2.0 is a new phase of learning based on emerging trends in eLearning and the second generation of web-based services, known as Web 2.0. The name and approach is intended to convey a sense of revolution and change from the traditional learning model, to one, which is more learner-centric and focused on problem solving.

Learning 2.0 is facilitated by the use of innovative technology (wikis, blogs, boards, rss, podcasts) and social constructionist pedagogy; and may include many of the following features: learner generation of content, peer collaboration and communication, distributed learning and problem solving. Content may be sourced, reworked and reused from a variety of sources, including: online references, eLearning courseware, knowledge management repositories, search portals, which can be aggregated together into a distributed learning experience.

In many ways Learning 2.0 turns conventional learning on its head, with learners moving from passive readers and absorbers of content, to social constructionist collaborators manipulating content in order to understand and explain concepts - with always a clear focus on the goal of solving a particular challenge or given problem.

This paper will review different aspects of the emerging Learning 2.0 concept, and illustrate how Learning 2.0 can be beneficial to training and applicable to the accelerated development of competency in the petroleum industry.

Experience gained over five years of deploying distributed learning solutions, using examples and case studies where applicable, will demonstrate a latent and very real demand for this innovative and evolving form of learning. It is hoped to demonstrate that, with its technical innovation and social interdependence, Learning 2.0 is well underway in today's changing world, and with proper implementation, will become the future platform for learning in the petroleum Industry.

Introduction

Learning 2.0 is a new phase of learning based on emerging trends in eLearning and the second generation of web-based services, known as Web 2.0. Learning 2.0 is facilitated by the use of innovative technology (wikis, blogs, boards, rss, podcasts) and social constructionist pedagogy; and may include many of the following features: learner generation of content, peer collaboration and communication, distributed learning and problem solving. Content may be sourced, reworked and reused from a variety of sources, including: online references, eLearning courseware, knowledge management repositories, search portals, which can be aggregated together into a distributed learning experience.

In many ways Learning 2.0 turns conventional learning on its head, with learners moving from passive readers and absorbers of content, to social constructionist collaborators manipulating content in order to understand and explain concepts - with always a clear focus on the goal of solving a particular challenge or given problem.

Learning 2.0 and Web 2.0

To fully understand Learning 2.0, we should first explore some of the web 2.0 technologies and understand what they are and how they are used. It should also be noted that many of these technologies are provided as tools or services from a range of organisations from commercial providers to open source solutions programmed and supported by a community of interest.

Web 2.0

Web 2.0 is a term used to describe a second generation of web based software services and communities which facilitates collaboration between users (1.). Previously, software was programmed to primarily run on a users computer, with linkages activated to the internet where and when required. Web 2.0 differed from this model by offering the software, not on the user's computer, but instead via a web browser installed on the users computer. The software was no longer residing directly on a user's computer, but instead delivered as a service across the internet.