Sidewalks on the information superhighway

Abstract

The Pavement is a web-based system designed around principles found in Jane Jacobs “The Death and Life of Great American Cities.” It is intended to allow self-organizing learning communities to develop around groups of websites, each of which is represented metaphorically as a building. Buildings are sited on streets with sidewalks, which connect together to form virtual cities. Real-time interactions between people on sidewalks help to form communities in the spaces between related websites. Streets and buildings are created by users. Usage determines their success or failure, as economic and social pressures determine the success or failure of districts of cities. From websites to learning objects, resources are embedded into a single vibrant, communal framework, valorizing rather than punishing diversity, creating a self-organized and safe community space for learners.