ERIC Number: EJ1058603
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2015-Jan
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-2042-7530
EISSN: N/A
Virtual Communication Processes of Open and Distance Education: Some Contributions from the Cultural Studies Field
Fainholc, Beatriz
E-Learning and Digital Media, v12 n1 p3-16 Jan 2015
The pressures of the information and digital culture exhibit innovation, but also a hegemonic power, and act in reciprocity with the global economy. Theoretical concepts and practical actions need to be revisited, to build equity in virtual communication. A sociological-cultural focus of communication mediated by technology, cannot occur without holistic and trans-disciplinary attention, and its contrast in practice. This will result in wider interpretations with regard to the socio-historical, political and cultural explanations related to face-to-face and virtual socialization/education programs. The cultural studies and critical theory contribute to situate and deepen the study of these sociological-cultural-technological variables, within digital trans-media dynamic reality. They show how technology drives contradictory far-reaching changes in the anthropological, epistemological and communication/educational social dimensions; and, then, in open and distance education programs. The dominant hegemonic logic is linked to the privileges of artefacts, which are not always the most suitable and/or transparent, within the late capitalism system which legitimizes only one sector of a socio-political-economic structure, with power, although it is said that ICT for open learning is more equitable. Many contradictions hold the illusion of a horizontal pluralism, currently more so with Massive Open Online Courses.
Descriptors: Distance Education, Virtual Classrooms, Computer Mediated Communication, Cultural Context, Educational Philosophy, Educational Theories, Educational Practices, Technology Uses in Education, Influence of Technology, Cultural Education, Teaching Methods, Educational Technology, Educational Change
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A