The Web 2.0 Revolution.

Since its invention, the web (or world wide web) has greatly evolved. The idea of the world wide web dates from the 1980s, but it wasn't until the 1990s that the first website was created. From then on, the world wide web has grown at a very fast pace and it got to be what we know now, web 2.0.

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."

Source

What is great (and also risky) about 2.0 is that anyone is allowed to create and share information or material of their own creation. This technology allows people to create,share, collaborate and communicate with others. It differs from other types of websites because you don't need to be a web designer or have publishing skills to participate in it, which makes it easier for people to share their work with the rest of the world. This means that websites passed from being static to be the result of the collaboration of many people. For example, a few years ago people accessed websites to look for information and nowadays is people who create and distribute information in the web. Web 2.0 also allows us to make choices: we can choose who we want to share information with, when and how. We can choose to communicate with friends, coworkers or students. There are many web 2.0 tools available for everyone: wikis, blogs, social networking, podcasts, etc. 

Why is it important to know about it? how can it help us as teachers?

It is important to use this tools as a way to encourage students to develop their skills since it makes the learning process more appealing for our students. Nevertheless, we need to ask ourselves some questions before using a web 2.0 tool in the classroom: is it easy to work with? does it require any kind of teaching? will it distract students from the task? will it be helpful to complete the assignment? As I mentioned in one of my previous posts, it is important not to use technology just for the sake of it, but to have a clear purpose in mind and use it as a partner to our teaching, not as a distractor. 

2.0 websites and tools.

Many of the websites we visit every day are 2.0 and can be tools for us to use,for example blogs, YouTube, wikipedia, etc. but there are some others that are great for teachers. Here are some links with lists of web 2.0 tools:

• EdSurge is an independent information resource and community for everyone involved in education technology and they made this great list: Teachers' Favored Web 2.0 Tools
• Here’s a website by Discovery Education with very interesting tools. 
• This list is from 2011, but it has many interesting and useful tools: The 35 Best Web 2.0 Classroom Tools Chosen By You