Web 2.0

Web 2.0 that even without realizing it is something that most people use daily. If you are using applications such as Gmail, Google Maps, or Flickr than you are using a form of Web 2.0,  [1] When Web 2.0 first came out, and people were rather unsure what to market it or consider it as. Eventually it became known as the interactive software that makes up the Internet. Web 2.0 is all about changing how the Internet interacts with its customer. [2]

Web 2.0 offers a lot of tools for communication. These communication tools offer an easier form of person-to-person communication. [3] Many companies are integrating these forms of communication into their business. Such things as Skype make meeting easier to be had between larger companies. Instead of having to take a trip half way across the world to talk to someone face-to-face you can now easily do it over video chat.

Email is a huge advantage with Web 2.0. Instead of sending mail that can take over a week to arrive, you now have the option to email people. You can scan documents and send them as attachments over Email as an easy way to send someone a document. More than 1.5 billion email users send183 million email messages a day. So email is obviously a very vital part to most people’s communication.

Instant messaging is another big part in Web 2,0 communication. Instant messaging (IM) is a real time communication tool that allows users to type into a chat box and send the info to one or more other IM users. It can be useful because it offers the sender to be able to receive an immediate response from the receiver.

Web 2.0 has also done a lot for the education system. It offers colleges and universities to be able to have online classes. Online classes provide an alternative opportunity for people who do not have the time to make it to a classroom everyday. This allows people to still be able to hold full-time jobs and attend college through online classes.

Web 2.0 is playing a role in children’s curriculum. A research study conducted displayed how a lot of the Web 2.0 applications actually improved many children’s creativity. Even though this research study that was conducted displayed a lot of plus’ that Web 2.0 had on a child’s education, teachers are still having a hard time implementing the applications into their classrooms. They said, most teachers do not use Web 2.0 technologies in the majority of their lessons, and many schools do not allow pupils’ personal devices in classrooms due to fears of bullying. [4]

In conclusion I believe that there are a lot of aspects that Web 2.0 offers improvements in. I think it has become a huge part of everyone’s daily lives.

[1] http://webdesign.about.com/od/web20/a/aa021306.htm

[2] http://webdesign.about.com/od/web20/Web_2_0.htm

[3] http://23thingsonastick.blogspot.com/2007/10/thing-7.html

[4] http://www.e-learningcentre.co.uk/Resource/CMS/Assets/5c10130e-6a9f-102c-a0be-003005bbceb4/form_uploads/Analysis_of_emerging_trends_affecting_the_use_of_technology_in_education___BECTA.pdf