Online Learning
The
final EXPO-reception weekend was designed as a preparation for our conference
within the Global Dialogue 7 "Building Learning Societies" taking place September
5-8 at the World Exposition itself. One of the four selected AIESEC rapporteurs
for the Global Dialogue - Gautham from AIESEC Michigan - worked in the Organising
Committee of the weekend. His task was to link the content of some weekend sessions
to the Global Dialogue ten days later.
The topic of the weekend seminar was "Learning and the Role of Internet". As
the first weekend events were more about ecological sustainability, we now wanted
to focus now on social aspects to sustainability. Facing a more and more digital
world with immense possibilities to exchange knowledge easily, we decided to
address the issue of Learning and the various new chances and ways of Learning
that the internet brings.
We were allowed to use a web-based learning environment designed by Karsten
Wolf (University of Bamberg) to show the delegates how the Internet and complete
connectedness can bring a new meaning to the word "Learning". In a group work
the participants were supposed to collect information about a chosen topic and
share the knowledge with the other groups online.
From a trainee's point of view:
The last event in the series of EXPO-reception weekends was hosted by the Local
Committee of Cologne. The site was beautifully located, just a few meters away
from the Rhine with a decent view of the Dome - Cologne's famous landmark. The
OC consisting of Frank, Alex and Thomas prepared a delicious Chilli and after
that we enjoyed some interesting get-to-know games directed by our Indian-American
facilitator Gautham. Then the garden party started -with Colombian Salsa and
Meringue rhythms setting the tone.
Saturday morning was the content part of the weekend. The computer lab of the
university was used for the learning simulation. Unfortunately, technology was
not with us. Everything seemed to be prepared for the simulation, but while
logging in the database crashed and never recovered despite an emergency call
to the assistant of the University and his attempts to fix it. It was time for
improvisation and while the groups did their web-research about the topics "Music
on the Web", "Olympic Games", "The Romans" and "Psychology" we set up an online
environment by ourselves where the groups uploaded their presentations for the
others to view them (take a look at http://briefcase.yahoo.com/bc/aiesecexpo).
Well, never trust technology... you better learn to do it yourself:-).
For the afternoon, Gautham had prepared a Learning Tool session where the delegates
worked on the issues Learning Societies, Information Society, Cultural Diversity
and Global Governance. The results of the respective discussions were used as
an input for the Global Dialogue as well as the comparison of the two different
Learning sessions.
Then it was time for the fun part of the weekend , time to enjoy the last sun
beams of the day in Cologne's city park and time for a relaxing barbecue. Afterwards
we headed towards the city centre to get into the vibrant Cologne night life.
During the walk back to our site we crossed the Dome bridge - having a beautiful
view of the Rhine and its promenade. The next morning we returned to the city
centre to get to know the old town and the Dome as a guided city tour was organised.
The finale of the weekend was a trip to nearby "Bergisches Land" and a cosy
get-together at Martin's parents' place with yummy waffles and coffee.
Farrah Liebler
Trainee, Philippines
Tobias Regner
Team "AIESEC meets EXPO 2000"