When websites were first becoming popular, they were typically sources of one-way communication from the publisher or author to communicate their ideas or information directly to the audience. In this way, you could say that the former version of the internet (sometimes referred to as Web 1.0) had similar interactions to someone picking up a book: you select the reading, read the content, then think about the content but never contribute your own thoughts or content to the book itself. However, since those earlier versions, the World Wide Web has changed drastically through the popularity of social networking. The updated ‘version’ of the online world (Web 2.0) is substantially more interactive and collaborative than the earlier version, allowing website visitors to be collaborative and active participants in the content of the webpage, rather than just passive viewers. There are a few ‘types’ of websites themselves that have become well known for their collaborative and interactive qualities, especially when it comes to visitor contribution. Examples include blogs, wikis, social networking sites, question & answer forums, and specified media sharing sites (such as video sharing, photo sharing, recipe sharing, etc.) Due to constant visitor contributions, some websites like Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter will literally never have the same ‘home page’ any time that you log into them!
So, with the above points in mind, it becomes quite apparent that including web 2.0 features during the creation of a website helps to keep visitors engaged and more likely to revisit that website. By using interactive and engaging websites with these features in the classroom, students automatically have a sense of engagement because they are actively contributing to the creation of online content. However, as far as I am concerned, teachers who use technology solely for engagement purposes are using technology incorrectly. I no longer see the point in using technology such as a PowerPoint just for the purposes of showing to my class. It seems like a waste of technology to me if that presentation doesn’t have the chance to get out there further into the world and generate user comments that will provide feedback, critiques, and related links. With all of the advanced programs these days, I would RATHER do that class PowerPoint on a presentation program such as Prezi, Voicethread, or Slideshare so that at least all of that hard work has the chance to generate some more conversation through comments. Throughout this whole course we have already looked at the benefits of these feedback systems and ways of communicating online, so it only makes sense that we would encourage this form of online interaction as well. Below are some really awesome resources for lists of some of the good Web 2.0 tools that have been compiled all in one place!
Web 2.0 Cool Tools for Schools
The 100 Best Web 2.0 Classroom Tools Chosen By You
Discovery Education Web 2013
#EdChat’s Teachers' Favored Web 2.0 Tools
The Best Web 2.0 Applications For Education In 2013 – So Far
101 Web 2.0 Tools Every Teacher Should Know About
Web 2.0 Tools for Differentiation
ELA Character Scrapbook web 2.0 tool
If I HAD to pick my top favorite Web 2.0 sites I would have to pick:
Pinterest – brilliant layout for organizing exactly what is important to you as the user.
Weebly – awesome for creating your own websites because it is so user friendly.
Animoto – VERY easy to make your own professional looking videos.
Facebook – Because it is always so awesome to be able to keep current with all of the things that matter the most to you.
Voicethread - because it allows students to respond to each others' posts in whatever way they are most comfortable
Prezi/ Glogster – because they both make presentations so interactive and engaging!