Chris Sessums – ICT and the ‘locus of control’

An interesting post by Chris Sessums about how ICT changes the ‘locus of control’ in educational institutions: http://elgg.net/csessums/weblog/129615.html

Is the locus of control of learning different given ICTs and social software and what should educators do?

In formal educational settings there is an unresolved tension between the individual and the institution. Institutions are responsible for accrediting learners and learning. Courses and programs are designed to meet standards set forth by varying accreditation agencies which set policies and in many cases determine what is to be taught, how “mastery” is defined, and whether or not an institution is properly qualified to deliver the goods, so to speak. Assessment and not students or institutions thus signify the locus of control.”