Learning, unlearning, and relearning: Using web 2.0 technologies to support the development of lifelong learning skills

Given ever-changing societal and professional demands, lifelong learning is recognized as a critical educational goal. With postsecondary students' increased demand for online learning opportunities and programs, postsecondary educators face the challenge of preparing students to be lifelong contributing members of professional communities of practice online and at a distance. The emergence of powerful Web 2.0 technologies and tools has the potential to support educators' instructional goals and objectives associated with students' professional preparation and the development of lifelong learning skills and dispositions. In this chapter, the authors explain how postsecondary educators can use the Web 2.0 technologies associated with blogging, social networking, document co-creation, and resource sharing to create intrinsically motivating learning opportunities that have the potential to help students develop the skills and dispositions needed to be effective lifelong learners.