We just launched Mahara for IT4ALL: http://mahara.integrating-technology.org
You are invited to join and develop your professional/personal e-portfolio.

David,

Thank you for sharing your ideas on telemdedicine. While I agree that e-learning and good facilitation can benefit the public and cut costs for organizations, how are you going to educate the public on how to learn online. In fact, you would need massive well executed face-to-face campaigns by governments, health care organizations, and maybe community centres to educate the current public on computer literacy.

However, doctors are already taking advantage of telemedicine in saving lives by sharing and collaborating with other doctors around the world.

I would say that in most countries, educators know little about e-learning. I conducted a research study in 7 countries and the results were the same. There are only a few instructors in higher education who understand what e-learning entails and know how to facilitate online courses.

I've been following the discussion on CoP in the Jewish Ed community. It seems to me that Karen (Hi - Karen) is right on target in bringing up the need to connect people around their interest areas rather then because of a job title or description. The nature of the types of communication that are going on today are so different than it was just a few short years ago, especially for those of the younger set. They appear to follow their passions and their interests very closely and will find people who they can share with. If we truly value the new technologies and think that they will aide the connections between people who are passionate about what they do in Jewish Ed, then we need to get the word out to people that this site exists and that they can configure it to their needs and interests. On the other hand, those who have this passion, likely have already found ways to find each other and are way ahead of us.

On another but related approach. Those who are not in this highly connected group might need to be encouraged to engage in a CoP. The question is how do we find them and what is the hook to get people who are not deeply connected on the computer to jump in and become a part of the CoP process with people that they may not know?

Paul

Great to "see" you here.

Dr. Magda, The photos of you and Dr. Gardner look great. I wish I had taken the workshop with you.