Web 2.0 as an Educational Tool

What is Web 2.0?

The concept of “Web 2.0” was first discussed by Tim O’Reilly and MediaLive International in a brainstorming session for a conference following the 2001 burst of the dot com bubble. Web 2.0 is not a newly developed technology, but a new way in which to interact with the internet and each other.  Below is a “meme map” developed during a conference at O’Reilly Media.  It shows the main ideas that make-up Web 2.0 (O'Reilly, 2005).

Dr. Michael Wesch, a professor at Kansas State University, produced a great video, creatively explaining Web 2.0. 

Where “Web 1.0” was a one-way medium, “Web 2.0” is two-way medium it “relies on user participation” (Thompson, 2007).

Some examples of Web 2.0 are:

• Scriblink - Scriblink is a free online whiteboard that can be accessed by a group of people in real-time. It has the capabilities to do VOIP or phone conferencing. This provides a learning environment online where the student and teacher can interact in a creative manner, using free hand expression with anyone, at anytime, anywhere in the world” (Wozniak, 2008).

•  Google Apps Education Edition - Google Apps provides users with access to Google Sites, Google Calendar and Google Docs. These applications are useful for collaborating with the teacher or other students outside of the classroom (Google.com, 2009).

• Flickr  - Flickr is a photo hosting/social networking site. It allows you to share photos with others. Some of the features of the website are groups, tagging, notes, comments and albums. Private groups can be formed where students and instructors can discuss their photos. An IM client allows them to chat in real-time. You can also post digital post-its on photos for notes (Baird, 2005).

• Podcasting - Check out the Wiki here

• Skype - Check out the Wiki here

• Twitter - Check out the Wiki here

Links to additional information

• Classroom 2.0 - Social network for those interested in Web 2.0 and collaborative technologies in education.

• JudyBrown.com - List of Web 2.0 Tools

Report on Web 2.0 in Classrooms*

• The following links are to a report from Becta, a government agency in the United Kingdom. The report analyzed the use of Web 2.0 in classrooms.

• http://news.becta.org.uk/display.cfm?resID=38417   Becta report shows benefits of Web 2.0 in the classroom

• http://partners.becta.org.uk/index.php?section=rh&catcode=_re_rp_02&rid=14543  Access to the entire report

References

1. O'Reilly, T (2005, September 30). What Is Web 2.0. Retrieved May 10, 2009, from O'Reilly Web site: http://www.oreillynet.com/pub/a/oreilly/tim/news/2005/09/30/what-is-web-20.html
2. Wesch , M (2007, March 8). The Machine is Us/ing Us (Final Version). Retrieved May 10, 2009, from YouTube Web site: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLlGopyXT_g
3. Thompson, J (2007, April/May). Is Education 1.0 Ready for Web 2.0 Students?. Retrieved May 11, 2009, from Journal of Online Education Web site: http://www.innovateonline.info/index.php?view=article&id=393&action=article
4. Wozniak, N (2008, November 17). Web 2.0 Tools – Has anyone tried these?. Retrieved May 11, 2009, from Web 2.0 Tools for Educators Web site: http://nancywozniak.wordpress.com/2008/11/17/web-20-tools-has-any-tried-these/
5. Google Apps Education Edition. Retrieved May 11, 2009, from Google for Educators Web site: http://www.google.com/educators/p_apps.html
6. Baird, D. E. (2005, November 1). The Promise of Social Networks. Retrieved May 11, 2009, from Tech & Learning Web site: http://www.techlearning.com/article/4816

    *7. Crook, C. & Harrison C. (2008). Web 2.0 technologies for learning at key stage 3 and 4: Summary report. Notingham, UK. Retrieved from                    

                     http://partners.becta.org.uk/index.php?section=rh&catcode=_re_rp_02&rid=14543