Web+2.0

Web 2.0, also known as the Read-Write web, is the term used to describe collaboration and sharing via the internet. The "web" means it is done using certain websites and the 2.0 simply means it has advanced from static Web publishing to an interactive Web publishing format. No longer do you have to be a master of HTML codes, or any others, you can now contribute the billions of pages of content on the Web as easily as you use Word to type up a lesson, worksheet or quiz! Web 2.0, or Classroom 2.0 or even Library 2.0 "encourages student self-expression, interaction with peers, and opportunity for authentic learning experiences" (Brooks 14). The use of blogs, wikis, podcasts, vodcasts and even social networking (MySpace, Facebook, Nings) are all web 2.0 devices. Anytime you, or your students, can write and immediately publish to the internet you've used Web 2.0 by some means. Anytime you leave feedback, interact, edit or share work immediately on the internet you've used Web 2.0. (Hopefully some of you are thinking, "hey, o.k., I've done that- maybe I'm not as far behind as I thought" and if so, then you are correct!)

 Some websites are specifically designed as Web 2.0 spaces such as: Wikispaces, Blogger, Wordpress, Nings, You Tube, Teacher Tube, etc. They are websites on the internet where you can read, write, respond, edit, post, share, comment, and the like. Whether for the best or not, these modes of communication are replacing the written letter, phone calls, "snail" mail and- sadly- face to face chats. However, we, as educators, should not turn from it, but rather open our arms to it. Why? Well, because it is the world our students are born into and it's all they know. Think of it this way, as difficult, awkward, and overwhelming as "tech" stuff seems to you, so too does paper and pencil seem to your students! And since we've already received our education, we need to teach our students in the manner they learn best. It's not about our learning, it's about theirs!  For more information about Web 2.0 check out the following: http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9588_22-6140175.html?tag=nl.e539 http://www.techlearning.com/showArticle.php?articleID=193200296 http://school20.wikispaces.com/