Curtis J. Bonk

Full disclosure: I received a free copy of this book as part of the Member Giveaway program. Also, I'm not neutral on the subject matter; one of my friends works for MIT's OCW project and another has been a media representative for WikiMedia.

I wish this book had been better. As it stands, I can primarily recommend it for people who aren't really inclined to read it straight through anyway. It's full of anecdotes and one incessantly repeated acronym, has almost no serious analysis, and doesn't appear to have any real direction. And, for someone who's already familiar with the material, it says very little they haven't heard before.

While the book was competently written, I have to say I agree with the reviewer who said it seemed like the author is more used to presenting this stuff in front of audiences. The book reads more like a series of related lectures than a coherent piece.

I'm probably going to suggest it to seemingly open-minded, non-techie friends in high places, preferably in the education sector.… (mere)

Right off I have to agree with 'Ig4154' that this a "hefty book". I am still working my way through it (I use the word 'working' with emphasis). 'Bridget3420' speaks for me a little when she suggests that Bonk offers to us "about the things which may terrify you". Getting into the upper strata of age might reflect a shade of terror to me, but that may also be because I am not an educator, per se. The younger aged individuals might see this book as a good stepping stone in their research of e-education.

Some reviews speak of disappointment for various reasons, not the least being an anticipation that did not meet their perceived hope. Although I am still plodding along in my reading I suspect that Bonk is not attempting to re-invent something but rather offering us a window into new and limitless(?) possibility of an education paradigm which could become the norm for future generations of students of K-12 and way beyond, even to older codgers like myself.

This whole topic speaks of a creature in the early years of formulation. How does one assess such a creature? It is akin to suggesting, (to me anyway), that Alexander Graham Bell's early steps in the field of telephone communications over distances for the first time was the last word. (Excuse the pun!) Bell might well be aghast at what THAT particular creature has become were he able to be around today!

Even Bonk admits that this new Open World concept has barely got off the ground. Check his website, as he encourages us to do. There you will see the most up-to-date developments in all this new dynamic.

I am still a student of life and a book such as this offers me new directions to help increase my life knowledge, however my mind might be directed. For that reason I am satisfied that I had the opportunity to read such a book as this.… (mere)