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What is Web 2.0?
by Lauren
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What is this Web 2.0 thing anyway?
So, you have heard a lot about ‘Web 2.0’, but you are still not really sure what it is. Well, simply put it is a term that describes a new shift in the way things are done on the World Wide Web. For example, in the past the web was mostly a place to read or consume information – think of it as a “read only” place. Today technology has enabled us to do more with the web because the tools are more interactive and collaborative – think of it as the “read, write, collaborate” web. Here’s another example, we used to create personal web pages to share information with students, parents and the community. Today teachers can create a blog (short for weblog) to share AND communicate with students, parents and the community. A blog is similar to a web page in that you can post information, but with a blog other people can actually comment on what you have written. See the difference? Perhaps the graphic below will provide some additional explanation.
Think of the collaboration possibilities with the Web 2.0 applications! Now schools can collaborate with schools and students around the world, communicate with experts, interact with parents and much, much more. The main thing that distinguishes Web 2.0 tools from others is: - The web is the platform.
- There is always a social or sharing component to the tool.
- The tools help foster communication and interaction.
Blogs and wikis (a web page that more than one person can edit) are just examples of web 2.0 applications. Below are some great places to find these tools and to see how other teachers are using them in the classroom. Explore, have fun and communicate with us about how you are doing!
Web 2.0 Tools:
Edublogs (free blogs for schools)
Wikispaces (free wikis for schools)
Classroom 2.0
Back to School with Web 2.0
Classroom Examples:
AP Calculus blog
Student Poetry blog
5th grade book study wiki
Flat Classroom wiki
Professional Blogs:
Kathy Schrock
Will Richardson
David Warlick
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