Towards the Recontext of the Virtual School.

Author: Husu, Jukka / Kynaeslahti, Heikki / Tella, Seppo
Published: Helsinki
Source: http://www.edu.helsinki.fi [30.09.2003].

Abstract

This essay deals with virtual education environments such as network-based 'distance learning'. The authors "aim to explore the Virtual School concept" and the underlying phenomenon of 'virtuality' in general. They argue that the movement "from traditional schools towards more diverse and elaborated forms of schooling that we call a virtual school" necessitates a re-thinking "of both the context of present schools and of the possible contexts, or recontexts, of virtual schools". A better "understanding [of] the paradigmatic change within the school institution" makes it easier to evaluate current developments and to foresee the future of the 'virtual classroom', according to the authors.

Tella, Seppo

Seppo Tella, born in 1947, is Professor of Foreign Language Education at the University of Helsinki since 1997. Additionally, he directs the Media Education Centre and the Research Centre for Foreign Language Education. As a specialist in media education he has both led and participated in many European Union-based projects on media education, information and communication technologies and foreign language education.

Publications: "Aspects of Media Education: Strategic Imperatives in the Information Age" (ed.) 1998, "Teaching Through a Foreign Language: From Tool to Empowering Mediator" (co-ed.) 1999, "Media, Mediation, Time and Communication: Emphases in Network-Based Media Education" (ed.) 2000.