Web 2.0 is essentially an increasing range of software that supports a variety of technologies for open and collaborative communication, learning and creativity. Discuss.  

     Learning and teaching in the classroom is becoming increasingly easier due to the influx of many new technologies and a myriad of software. The new technology and software allows for a more open and collaborative classroom where communication, learning and creativity is an occurrence that happens frequently. Web 2.0 is the way of the future for educators and learning because it allows for many different learning styles, encompasses creativity, which is the best way for students to learn, and is accessible and able to be modified wherever there is internet available. This essay will explain what Web 1.0 and Web 2.0 is, will explain the differences and major changes between the two differing webs and explain and expand on how the changes in technology allow for a better learning environment.  

      Web 2.0 changed the look and accessibility of e-learning. It is the second generation of internet use, moving away from the world of personal and unchangeable information: Web 1.0. Web 2.0 allows for completely collaborative and interesting learning experience. Web 2.0 in the classroom means that there is: creativity, collaborative learning, a multitude of media is being used (for example: video, Wiki’s, blogs and podcasts), a highly structured lesson, multi-tasking occurring from both the teacher’s and student’s perspective and there must be trust in the classroom because it is such a collaborative learning environment (Niven, 2007).

     O’Reilly (2005) suggests that there are several features of what Web 2.0 comprises of: using the Web as a platform; allowing for social networking on an easier and larger scale, the combined effort of all users – each user is encouraged to edit and create previously written WebPages and that Web 2.0 is run mainly by specific websites and programs.

     Within Web 2.0, there are specific programs that are considered to be from the Web 2.0 era: Facebook, MySpace, Blogs (such as WordPress), Wiki’s, iGoogle, Flickr, RSS Feeds and YouTube. Each of the above programs are able to be collaborative, promote creativity and use a variety of multi-medias, such as videos, music clips and podcasts.

     When using Web 2.0, you are using a contribution-type internet. People are expected not only to gather and gain information but also to contribute and to be creative. To help and expand on what information is on the web. It is a collaborative place where you can make friends from all across the world in a very easy and stress free way; unlike Web 1.0.  

     Contrary to Web 2.0, which is the second generation of internet usage, Web 1.0 is the first generation. Web 1.0 is considered to be a very passive activity, where one, rather than creates and helps build on the information, simply gathers the information and then manipulates it to what they are searching for. Examples of Web 1.0 include Britannica Online, directories (such as YellowPages) and personal web sites. Web 1.0 cannot be collaborative and can not be adjusted or extended upon once it has been place on the internet. It is considered to be like a library, full of books, waiting to be read, as opposed to Web 2.0 which is a continuously updated Wiki, waiting for anyone and everyone to change the content.

     The changes between Web 1.0 and Web 2.0 are quite dramatic. No longer is the information simply fed to you, from your computer screen, but you are expected to contribute and thereby allow other people to use your information. Web 2.0 is more about user generated content, than simply published content, where the user of the internet is expected to give back to the internet, as much as they take from it. In Web 2.0, rather that the information that is accessible being from only a couple of sources, the internet is considered a place of collective intelligence; where everyone shares their information and knowledge in one place, so that everyone else is able to gain insight and learn better through differing mediums.

     Changes in software and programs since Web 1.0 have allowed for easier and more interesting ways that lessons can be taught. Such programs include Wiki’s, Facebook, iGoogle, del.icio.us, Flickr and YouTube.  

     Wiki’s allow for a group of students, or a class of students to use their imagination and work together to create their own page on the internet. Instead of simply writing your work down and taking notes off each other, now, because of Wiki’s, a student can post their work up which instantaneously allows other members of the Wiki, and other users of the internet, to see the post. A Wiki is one of the easiest ways to have collaborative and creative e-learning occurring in a classroom.

     Facebook is a social networking site that claims to be ‘…an online directory that connects people through social networks at schools’ (Facebook, 2007). Facebook is great to use in a classroom because it is easy to monitor, easy and enjoyable to use, students love it and have fun, it caters to different learning types and it can be accessed anywhere, meaning that if a student does not finish their work in class, rather than have to carry heavy books home, they simply have to log on to the internet and continue their work from home. Although Facebook can be useful, it can be distracting and hard to keep students on track. However, the positive uses of Facebook far outweigh the negative features.

     iGoogle is a wonderful example of Web 2.0. It has many interactions available to the user and can be personalised, as well as allowing the user to social network with their friends and family. iGoogle also allows the user to add their own content to their homepage, such as links to YouTube, RSS Feeds from news centres and even allows for an up-to-the-minute weather forecast. iGoogle is a great place for e-learning through Web 2.0 to begin.

     Del.icio.us is a social bookmarking site that allows a registered user to have a list of favourite websites and keep them listed on del.icio.us. It also allows social networking so you are able to see most other user’s favourite websites as well. Using del.icio.us means that you can log on from any computer anywhere in the world and access your favourite websites. For a classroom environment this is essential because it allows students to simply log into their user page and access any websites they bookmarked, rather than having to search on the internet again and waste time.

     Flickr is a photo sharing website. Again, like most other Web 2.0 programs, it allows the user to have a social network, which automatically allows you to share photos with your friends. Flickr is very helpful in general because it saves time and saves natural resources, such as paper, because rather than printing your photos for your friends, they can pick and choose which ones they want themselves. For a classroom environment, this can be very helpful when studying, for example, propaganda posters of WWI or photographs taken during the Viet Nam War. It is bright and colourful and interactive, which the students like. 

     YouTube is the ultimate in Web 2.0 programs and technology. YouTube, and its subsequent programs such as TeacherTube, allows for those who learn visually to have a constant point of reference. YouTube is very connected to other Web 2.0 programs, meaning that often in social networking programs such as Facebook, it is enabled to allow people to put their favourite videos on their page. YouTube is a social video uploading site, allowing any user to upload a video they have seen or watched. In a classroom, YouTube can be of value because it allows for another way for the students to learn. TeacherTube is probably a better resource for the classroom.

     Within Web 2.0, there are several things that must be kept in mind: it is a social networking world. This means that constantly people, from all over the world are able to help and exchange information with you. Web 2.0 is also a connected world; once you are connected through one of the programs, such as iGoogle, you are able to connect with other programs and mesh them together to make a Web 2.0 that is personalised for you. It is also important to remember that Web 2.0 is constantly changing and that in order to keep up-to-date with all the changes, one must constantly be logging into their accounts. Web 2.0 is a wonderful step forward, especially in the classroom. One only wonders what Web 3.0 is going to be like.

References  

If Web 2.0 was avaliable all the time, then it is accessible from cyberspace at any time. There is not necessary to put things on USB.

It is important to remember that Web 2.0 is a commerical world. The internet is not a commerical world, because they provide their services for free (such as Yahoo, Google) and instead, they put advertisements on their sites.

The commerical / advertising aspect of using free and commercial sites allows for some free Web 2.0 programs

Google is the way of the future because of their large income – they can invest and research ways to improve the service they provide, such as iGoogle.

The Semantic Web will also be the future. It has been eight years in the making, and is created by the man who created the internet. It will be a new way to search the internet – it searches for ideas and meaning, as opposed to Google, which searches for words. You will be able to link all the information together.

Google is controlling the world by personalising a normal search page – people then have a sense of ownership. A sense of place is a key intinctive emotion that all human’s need and want. iGoogle is a great way to input Web 2.0 into the classroom. 

Whilst it is a space for you, it is not a private space. You must be careful what you write and post on what programs you have.  

You need to simplify everything for students so that all their accounts link into each other.

When thinking about Web 2.0 – keep in mind Google and the Semantic Web.

http://heyjude.wordpress.com/

The Hey Jude Blog is good and colourful, informative and interesting and always being updated. It is an excellent example of a good blog.

I found this video very useful in describing what Web 2.0 actually is. It is also a good way for students to revise information, as I found that it re-enforced and strengthened my knowledge on Web 2.0.