We're very excited to be launching this new website for Jewish learning. When new technologies come on the scene they first simply imitate the existing ones. So, for example, Gutenberg's first printed pages replicated the exact look of handwritten manuscripts. The first computer documents didn't look any different than a typewriter's. Even the first websites were simply online brochures.
The Internet has changed everything: our classroom is open anytime that is convenient for you, and available anywhere from home, your school, or even on the road. Websites have evolved and now many Jewish educational websites boast audio and even video. But even with excellent content and multimedia, they still are operated with an old model of top-down learning. Today, new technologies encourage user participation, discussion, and collaboration. This new site is exciting because it is truly different. We wanted to 'mash up' the energy and diversity of user-generated sites (like Wikipedia and YouTube) with the professionalism and quality of traditional learning media. Of course, Project Open Book contains excellent, well-written material on variety of topics by experienced adult educators. And there are audio and video clips too. But what makes this site truly innovative is its platform which encourages participation from its users and collaboration from the community of educators.
So welcome, visit a 'class' and post your comments. We look forward to learning with you.
