Until I began this program, I had never heard the term Web 2.0. Until this week, I was not entirely sure what it meant, and now the idea of Web 3.0 is surfacing for the first time for me. In case you are like me, here is a summary of what I’ve learned.
What is Web 2.0?
It is not a different version of the internet. It was, in actuality, a term that was generated to describe the aftermath of the dot-com bust (Delaney, 2012). However, in practice, it has come to be known in relation to eLearning. It deals with web based technologies that are designed for more interaction and input to social construction of knowledge, which is typical during eLearning (Bartolomé, 2007). Instead of being a place where information is being consumed, the internet has become a place where people can participate and add to the content (Bartolomé, 2007). Learning can happen anywhere and anytime under Web 2.0 (Commonly used platforms include:
Wikis
Blogs
RSS reader pages and syndication
Online office software (word processors, spreadsheets, etc.)
YouTube
Shared bookmarks and documents
Podcasts
Social networks like Facebook, Twitter, Ning
Personal learning environments like Elluminate
Digital portfolios
Annotation tools like Diigo,
Photo and slide sharing sites like Flickr, Evernote, and Slide Share
Communications applications like Skype, Zoom, and Teams and
Presentation applications like Prezi, VoiceThread, Padlet, Wakelet (Bartolomé, 2007; Mohamed, 2011).
What is Web 3.0?
While Web 2.0 brought about the idea of being able to interact with and produce content on the internet, Web 3.0 is the notion of all the things being connected. Delaney (2012) says, “Anything that has a transistor in it, that plugs in, that uses Wi-Fi all of a sudden becomes a data access point.” With all of the connected devices, it is possible to generate and collect incredible amounts of data. In education, it will be easier to provide personalized learning opportunities due to the data, and the paradigm may shift more toward creating online portfolios as students use all of the connected devices to learn and create content. Massive open online courses (MOOC) are also an extension of Web 3.0, and they will improve as more people utilize them and provide feedback (Delaney, 2012).
Why is this important?
As I studied these topics, I realized that I have used many of the Web 2.0 applications in my classroom over the years without realizing that there had been a shift in how we interacted with the internet. It was a very gradual shift. I believe the shift into Web 3.0 will be the same. Sadly, as we transition into the Web 3.0 internet of things, where everything is connected, many teachers still have not fully embraced the interactivity of Web 2.0. Delaney (2012) asserted that “there's a real need for teachers to become conversant with new media, and IT is going to need to support the teachers.” As an instructional technologist, I fully agree with that. I would also add that administrators also need to throw their support behind the integration of technology into classrooms. Understanding where we have been and where we are going is important.
What do I need to know?
As I researched the Web 2.0 technologies, I was introduced to Diigo. I had never heard of this application, and I was intrigued. I have needed to annotate websites and have had several teachers ask about how to do the same. I can see that it could have a great impact in a classroom. The best part is that it can be used for free.
Here are two videos that give an overview of Diigo.
References
Bartolomé, Antonio. (2007). Web 2.0 and New Learning Paradigms. eLearning Papers, No. 8, 2008. 8.
Becker, M. (2021, October 21). Research step 1: Annotating websites & pdfs with diigo. YouTube. Retrieved February 3, 2023, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVmcVoxhDTM
coolcatteacher. (2015, October 20). How to use Diigo to research and organize. YouTube. Retrieved February 3, 2023, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3iDeWEl9Ok&list=RDLVqLd34Zn6ByA&index=18
Delaney, M., (2012). What Is Web 3.0, Really, and What Does It Mean for Education? Retrieved March 21, 2018 from https://edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2012/10/what-web-30-really-and-what-does-it-mean-education
Mohamed, A. E. (2011). Web 2.0 tools in education: A quick guide. Bangi, Selangor: Pusat Pembangunan Akademik, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
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