Using 'Liminal Spaces' for Web-Based Collaboration and Enhancing Learning

摘要

The informal dynamic knowledge creation in collaborative contexts occurs as participants move from textual communication in a conventional mailing list to blogging, wikis contributions, online video conferencing and other collaborative web environments. Web 2.0 collaborative technology can be seen as creating a "liminal space" - a passage, in which a person moves from one state of being to another. Participants in this liminal space are transformed by acquiring new knowledge, a new status and a new identity in the community. This change is of critical importance if learning is to be successful. This paper aims to extend understanding of liminal spaces and their contribution to the learning process. Evidence from participants (students and teachers) from the International Community School, London, UK and other schools across the world is used to estimate the value of liminal web-spaces (within the global collaborative Flat Classroom Project).