One of the most significant differences between Web 2.0 and the traditional World Wide Web (retroactively referred to as Web 1.0) is greater collaboration among Internet users and other users, content providers, and enterprises.
Originally, data was posted on Web sites, and users simply viewed or downloaded the content. Increasingly, users have more input into the nature and scope of Web content and in some cases exert real-time control over it. For example, multiple-vendor online book outlets such as BookFinder4U make it possible for users to upload book reviews as well as find rare and out-of-print books at a minimum price, and dynamic encyclopedias such as Wikipedia allow users to create and edit the content of a worldwide information database in multiple languages. Internet forums have become more extensive and led to the proliferation of blogging. The dissemination of news evolved into RSS.
There is no clear-cut demarcation between Web 2.0 and Web 1.0 technologies, hardware and applications. The distinction is, to a large extent, subjective. Here are a few characteristics often noted as descriptive of Web 2.0:
Here is a list of some of the most common Web 2.0 tools:
Social Bookmarking
:a way to save favorites/bookmarks on the web for public access instead of on a local computer. Allows users to share links with other people. In an instructional setting, it allows a teacher to share links with students and helps to focus students on using specific websites that the teacher chooses instead of having them search for links on their own. Can save time and keep students productive when used in this fashion
Wikis
:an editable webpage(s) that can be edited without special software installed and without knowledge of html code (or web publishing). As easy to use a word processor. Allows the creator to make pages available to others to view/edit/modify. In an instructional setting, the uses are endless. Teachers can use wikis to allow students to collaborate with each other or to share information with students. Administrators can use wikis to facilitate meetings, allow collaboration, and could possibly take the place of face-to-face meetings in many ways. Students can use a wiki to do a group project without meeting with each other in person (from home across the internet).
Google Docs
:a free, Web-based word processor, spreadsheet, forms, and presentation application offered by Google. The applications and the files are hosted on the internet and saved there. No need to have a word processor, spreadsheet program, or presentation software installed on a user's computer. Great for saving files and allowing others to access. In an instructional setting, google docs are being used for students to collaborate and work cooperatively on assignments. Can be done asynchonously from home, school, etc. Coordination between users will be key to effective implementation: who is responsible for what, etc.
Blogs
:an online journal for users to share their thoughts, etc and allow others to read. In an instructional setting, blogs could be used for students to showcase their ideas and thoughts and to share with their parents, families. For an instructor, this could be used as a discussion starter where the teacher posts a question or topic and students can post their thoughts or ideas and responses to the teacher's question. Think of it in terms of a traditional class: Teacher asks a question and the students raise their hands and wait to be called on to share their thoughts. With a blog, the teacher can post a question on-line and students can respond (comment) to the teacher's question. From a student's perspective, there is no fear of speaking aloud in class and/or not getting an opportunity to share their thoughts.
Word Clouds
:a tool for generating “word clouds” from text that you provide. The clouds give greater prominence to words that appear more frequently in the source text. You can tweak your clouds with different fonts, layouts, and color schemes. Groups of words scattered on a page. Grabs reader's attention. In an instructional setting, word clouds could be used at the beginning of a lesson to gain interest and to share ideas associated with a topic. Could also be used to accentuate a point. Requires java (which is a common internet plug-in file) to be installed on a computer.
Chatting/Conferencing/Distance Learning
:tools that can be used to communicate with others a classroom away or on the other side of the world. In an instructional setting, it can be used to invite a "guest" speaker to share their experiences with a class without actually being there in person. It can be used as a modern day pen pal relationship with students/teachers in another district, state, or country. Can also be used to carryout meetings with others without having to meet face-to-face.
Social Networking
:an online platform for people to create their own social networks . Creating a Ning network as a “Professional Learning Network” sparks cross-district friendship, sharing, collaboration, and learning. See: http://diannekrause.wikispaces.com/ningpreso . In an instructional setting, ning can be used for professional development. It is differentiated, synchronous and asynchronous, 24/7, cross district, can be set to private (invite only).
If you want to create an adfree ning for educator, click on this link: adfree info for ning
Podcasting
:audio broadcasting using the Internet, podcasting takes its name from a combination of "iPod" and broadcasting. A method of publishing audio files to the Internet for playback on mobile devices and personal computers. In an instructional setting, podcasts can be used to record student projects for online listening by parents, other students, teachers, and others. For a teacher/administrator, a podcast can be created to share and broadcast information about what is going on in a classroom, school, or district. They can also be used instructionally as recorded lessons or other information that the instructor would like to share with students.
WebDesign
:free webpage design and hosting. Looking to create a free website to hold content? There are plenty of web 2.0 tools that allow you to do so. Please keep in mind that we encourage teachers/staff at West Perry to maintain a SchoolWires homepage. If you are a teacher/staff please create your mainpage using SchoolWires so that the district is standardized and uniform for a good, clean looking site for our parents and community members. However, sometimes you want or need to create an additional page that just doesn't fit the layout that SchoolWires offers. In times like these, consider using one of the following sites to supplement your SchoolWires page and link to it from SchoolWires instead of substituting it FOR SchoolWires.
What is "Web 2.0"
One of the most significant differences between Web 2.0 and the traditional World Wide Web (retroactively referred to as Web 1.0) is greater collaboration among Internet users and other users, content providers, and enterprises.
Originally, data was posted on Web sites, and users simply viewed or downloaded the content. Increasingly, users have more input into the nature and scope of Web content and in some cases exert real-time control over it. For example, multiple-vendor online book outlets such as BookFinder4U make it possible for users to upload book reviews as well as find rare and out-of-print books at a minimum price, and dynamic encyclopedias such as Wikipedia allow users to create and edit the content of a worldwide information database in multiple languages. Internet forums have become more extensive and led to the proliferation of blogging. The dissemination of news evolved into RSS.
There is no clear-cut demarcation between Web 2.0 and Web 1.0 technologies, hardware and applications. The distinction is, to a large extent, subjective. Here are a few characteristics often noted as descriptive of Web 2.0:
- blogging
- Ajax and other new technologies
- Google Base and other free Web services
- RSS-generated syndication
- social bookmarking
- mash-ups
- wikis and other collaborative applications
- dynamic as opposed to static site content
- interactive encyclopedias and dictionaries
- ease of data creation, modification or deletion by individual users
- advanced gaming.
(from: http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/0,,sid9_gci1169528,00.html# )Here is a list of some of the most common Web 2.0 tools:
Social Bookmarking
:a way to save favorites/bookmarks on the web for public access instead of on a local computer. Allows users to share links with other people. In an instructional setting, it allows a teacher to share links with students and helps to focus students on using specific websites that the teacher chooses instead of having them search for links on their own. Can save time and keep students productive when used in this fashion
Wikis
:an editable webpage(s) that can be edited without special software installed and without knowledge of html code (or web publishing). As easy to use a word processor. Allows the creator to make pages available to others to view/edit/modify. In an instructional setting, the uses are endless. Teachers can use wikis to allow students to collaborate with each other or to share information with students. Administrators can use wikis to facilitate meetings, allow collaboration, and could possibly take the place of face-to-face meetings in many ways. Students can use a wiki to do a group project without meeting with each other in person (from home across the internet).
Google Docs
:a free, Web-based word processor, spreadsheet, forms, and presentation application offered by Google. The applications and the files are hosted on the internet and saved there. No need to have a word processor, spreadsheet program, or presentation software installed on a user's computer. Great for saving files and allowing others to access. In an instructional setting, google docs are being used for students to collaborate and work cooperatively on assignments. Can be done asynchonously from home, school, etc. Coordination between users will be key to effective implementation: who is responsible for what, etc.
Blogs
:an online journal for users to share their thoughts, etc and allow others to read. In an instructional setting, blogs could be used for students to showcase their ideas and thoughts and to share with their parents, families. For an instructor, this could be used as a discussion starter where the teacher posts a question or topic and students can post their thoughts or ideas and responses to the teacher's question. Think of it in terms of a traditional class: Teacher asks a question and the students raise their hands and wait to be called on to share their thoughts. With a blog, the teacher can post a question on-line and students can respond (comment) to the teacher's question. From a student's perspective, there is no fear of speaking aloud in class and/or not getting an opportunity to share their thoughts.
Word Clouds
:a tool for generating “word clouds” from text that you provide. The clouds give greater prominence to words that appear more frequently in the source text. You can tweak your clouds with different fonts, layouts, and color schemes. Groups of words scattered on a page. Grabs reader's attention. In an instructional setting, word clouds could be used at the beginning of a lesson to gain interest and to share ideas associated with a topic. Could also be used to accentuate a point. Requires java (which is a common internet plug-in file) to be installed on a computer.
Chatting/Conferencing/Distance Learning
:tools that can be used to communicate with others a classroom away or on the other side of the world. In an instructional setting, it can be used to invite a "guest" speaker to share their experiences with a class without actually being there in person. It can be used as a modern day pen pal relationship with students/teachers in another district, state, or country. Can also be used to carryout meetings with others without having to meet face-to-face.
Social Networking
:an online platform for people to create their own social networks . Creating a Ning network as a “Professional Learning Network” sparks cross-district friendship, sharing, collaboration, and learning. See: http://diannekrause.wikispaces.com/ningpreso . In an instructional setting, ning can be used for professional development. It is differentiated, synchronous and asynchronous, 24/7, cross district, can be set to private (invite only).
If you want to create an adfree ning for educator, click on this link: adfree info for ning
Podcasting
:audio broadcasting using the Internet, podcasting takes its name from a combination of "iPod" and broadcasting. A method of publishing audio files to the Internet for playback on mobile devices and personal computers. In an instructional setting, podcasts can be used to record student projects for online listening by parents, other students, teachers, and others. For a teacher/administrator, a podcast can be created to share and broadcast information about what is going on in a classroom, school, or district. They can also be used instructionally as recorded lessons or other information that the instructor would like to share with students.
WebDesign
:free webpage design and hosting. Looking to create a free website to hold content? There are plenty of web 2.0 tools that allow you to do so. Please keep in mind that we encourage teachers/staff at West Perry to maintain a SchoolWires homepage. If you are a teacher/staff please create your mainpage using SchoolWires so that the district is standardized and uniform for a good, clean looking site for our parents and community members. However, sometimes you want or need to create an additional page that just doesn't fit the layout that SchoolWires offers. In times like these, consider using one of the following sites to supplement your SchoolWires page and link to it from SchoolWires instead of substituting it FOR SchoolWires.
Concept Mapping
: ability to create mind maps and concept maps for students to brainstorm ideas.
created by: Ryan Shumaker, Director of Technology, West Perry School District.