The web of the future?

     Most of the readings for this module have dealt with Web 2.0 and the many different technologies that it is comprised of.  Prior to these readings, I was still apprehensive on what Web 2.0 was, but also on its uses.  After these readings one of the key advantages (that I feel) of Web 2.0 is the ability to socialize and work with one another without instructor encouragement, be it through Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, a blog, wiki or other means.  According to Terry Anderson the lack of support via learner-learner interaction prior to Web 2.0 technologies contributed to high attrition rates in distance education (2009).  With the inception and incorporation of Web 2.0 technologies, distance education students can actively engage each other on Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, blogs and wiki's to work together or to just provide support for one another.  Anderson (2009) also goes on to state that students no longer need to wait and see what their classmates are reading for class, they can post links and information on their readings via Web 2.0 which also presents a way to organize and quickly retrieve information.  This clearly shows that socialization web sites can be used for educational purposes.  When looking at Web 2.0 one might not first see the benefits of these sites in the classroom, but upon further research the benefits are presented.  It has been proven time and again that collaboration enhances the learning process (Anderson, 2009) and Web 2.0 clearly shows that.

     Blogs have become more and more popular in academia and with their popularity comes advantages and disadvantages.  Les Pang has listed some of these advantages and disadvantages to blogs and some have really struck a chord with me (2009).  One advantage that I did not consider is that by not only keeping a blog, but by updating it the instructor can gain insight into where the students are struggling with information and allows for the instructor to provide more individualized feedback to help those that need it (Pang, 2009).  Another suggestion that Pang makes which resonates with me is that if the instructor keeps a blog and makes it available to the class they might find additional information or clarification on issues they are facing (2009).  Blogs are not just the (public) diary of the future, they can be used as educational tools to engage the student to reflect on their learnings and to share those learnings with others.

     The readings for this module have not only clarified what Web 2.0 is, but they have also proven the importance of this technology.  Gone are the days of waiting for class to begin to ask a question of the instructor or a friend.  Blogs, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and wiki's provide a sounding board for ideas and interaction among students that is not always provided in face-to-face instruction.  Because many distance education students already utilize the computer and internet for education it is only an extension of this to use Web 2.0 to enhance the learning environment.

Missy

References

Anderson, T.  (2009).  Social networking in education.  A draft paper to STRIDE 


     handbook for The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU).  

     Retrieved:  April 27, 2009, from:

     http://terrya.edublogs.org/2009/04/28/social-networking-chapter/

Pang, L.  (2009).  Application of blogs to support reflective learning journals.  

     Retrieved:  May 21, 2009, from:

     http://deoracle.org/online-pedagogy/teaching-strategies/application-of-

     blogs.html