What is Web 2.0?

~ By: Cindy Blinkinsop, Head of Materials & Media Distribution

There has been a lot of talk over the past couple years about “Web 2.0” but does anyone truly know what it means? According to www.germworks.net the defi nition is as follows: Web 2.0 is a perceived or proposed second generation of the web. This is were the web has evolved and improved over time and now offers better and more up to date services like , wiki’s, social networking sites etc While www.wikipedia.com defi nes Web 2.0: In studying and/or promoting web technology, the phrase Web 2.0 can refer to a perceived second generation of web-based communities and hosted services, such as social networking sites, wikis, and , which aim to facilitate creativity, collaboration, and sharing between users. The term gained currency following the fi rst O’Reilly Media Web 2.0 Conference in 2004. Although the term suggests a new version of the , it does not refer to an update to any technical specifi cations, but to change the ways software developers and users use the web. If you look closely at middle school, high school or college students today, they carry a variety of technologies on them at all times. Some walk to the rhythm of the songs they are listening to on their MP3 player or iPod. Others are text messaging friends and family members feverishly on their cell phones while classmates on their laptop computers about a class assignment. It is a very different world today than it was 25 years ago. People are naturally social creatures and Web 2.0 is the venue to use to communicate with others in your same fi eld of study or your areas of interest. Below are some educationally sound ways to be social yet get school work done: or webcasts: This is a way to digitally produce fi les that can be shared over the Internet. You can listen to the or webcast on your computer or download it to a portable media player like an iPod. Teachers can use webcasts to enhance assignments or lectures, share assignments or expectations with parents, record book discussions, record foreign language lessons, or produce your own radio-type show. • On the cutting Edge-ucation: www.onthecuttingedge.blogspot.com • Exploiting the Educational Potential of Podcasting: http://recap.ltd.uk/articles/podguide.html • Podcasting Resources for Educators & Students: www.stager.org/podcasting.html • Listening and Subscribing to Podcasts Educational Podcast Network: www.epnweb.org • Learning in Hand: www.learninginhand.com/podcasting/index.html Blogging: To you must create an account in a blog web site (see below). Once your account is created, you can post commentary on a particular subject, hobby or idea. Many blogs include text, pictures, videos, sketches, podcasts and videos. There are individuals who use blogging as a sort of diary because items post in chronological order. Educators can join an Edublog which is written by and for teachers wanting to post classroom instructions, district and school policies, parent news, student supply lists, and more! • Create an Educational Blog: http://edublogs.org • Word Press: http://wordpress.com • Class Blogmeister: http://classblogmeister.com • Blogger: www.blogger.com/start Ask An Expert: There are many sites that allow teachers and students to ask an expert a question for free! The experts are more than willing to share their knowledge with others. This is a great way for a student to conduct an interview with an expert when there isn’t one living in their immediate proximity. Students will have to have their own email address or the teacher can use his or her email address for the expert to send his or her response. • Library Spot: http://www.libraryspot.com/askanexpert.htm • Pitsco: http://www.askanexpert.com/ • All Experts: http://www.allexperts.com/ • List of Experts: http://www.refdesk.com/expert.html

continued ePals: This is the number one site for K-12 communities world-wide to communicate in. It is a safe way for schools to communicate on a global level. • ePals Global Community: http://www.epals.com/ Wiki’s: A wiki is a type of software that allows individuals to work collaboratively with others on information posted to a web page. It is a collection of work from many participants all sharing their “defi nition” of a word or concept. • Creating Wikis: Wiki Spaces for K-12 Educational Use: www.wikispaces.com/site/for/teachers100k • PB Wiki’s for Educators: http://pbwiki.com/edu.html For further information or assistance in integrating technology into your curriculum, feel free to contact Robert Reppert at (563) 344-6350, [email protected], or Cindy Blinkinsop (563) 344-6439, [email protected].