In 1999, contributing information and content online required a specialized skill set. A person had to know HTML, or a Web page editor, had to know how to FTP, and had to have a server, or rent space on a server. In 2007, those skills are no longer necessary--everyone can contribute content in a matter of minutes. In 2007, everyone can contribute, everyone can participate.
The tools of Web 2.0 (sometimes referred as the Read/Write Web) make all this possible. Almost all of these tools promote social networking, and are characterized by being realitively easy to acquire and use, thereby promoting individual contribution of content and conversation to a larger social network. These tools include, but are not limited to:
The power of these tools are based in their ability to connect people to people. When this happens, everyone has an opportunity to benefit from the knowledge of everyone. Web 2.0 is one big network, with the capability to link to people, conversation and content in a constant evolving mix. In 2007 its about networking, its about the connections.
Obviously, these connections fuel learning. An individual can now have daily exposure to ideas and innovations not possible even three years ago. And these ideas can challenge personal understanding, and promote individual learning by increasing the depth and breadth of personal knowledge. Web 2.0 is basically an enormous learning and sharing network, where the tools enable individual contribution. All of us are smarter than one of us.
Can we leverage these tools for student learning? Should we? The answer is a definite yes to both questions. There are challenges to this but promoting an understanding of Web 2.0 tools will help students become independent contributors and learners for a life-time.
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