What is Web 2.0?

Web 2.0 is the term given to describe a second generation of the World Wide Web that is focused on the ability for people to collaborate and share information online. Web 2.0 basically refers to the transition from static HTML Web pages to a more dynamic Web that is more organized and is based on serving Web applications to users.

Other improved functionality of Web 2.0 includes open communication with an emphasis on Web-based communities of users, and more open sharing of information. Over time Web 2.0 has been used more as a marketing term than a computer-science-based term. Blogs, wikis, and Web services are all seen as components of Web 2.0.

Web 2.0 was previously used as a synonym for Semantic Web, but while the two are similar, they do not share precisely the same meaning.

Web 2.0 in Education

Web 2.0 tools are tools of technology that allow teachers and students alike to create, collaborate, edit and share content on-line that is user-generated.

These can include tools for: presentation, research, collaboration, audio, video, slideshow, images, music, drawing, writing, organizing, mapping, quiz and test generation, file storage and web pages, and also tools for graphing and conversion. New tools are being developed all the time, so it is important to be informed about the newest trends in education in order to keep up with the technology that surrounds the lives of your students.

Using technology in your classroom can have many benefits for you as a teacher by supporting your teaching goals and increasing the learning capabilities of your students. Web 2.0 tools are becoming more prevalent in the classroom, but can seem daunting for teachers who are not confident in their technological ability. There's some good news though - these tools are generally designed to be extremely user-friendly. Even a novice can master them!