Explaining Web 2.0 to my mom

Hi Mom, remember that computer Meghann bought you? If you get it hooked up to a good internet connection there are so many neat things you can do with it. Remember I told you about the site called Facebook that you can catch up with old friends that you went to high school with? People also post pictures of their grandchildren on Facebook and can talk about recipes and crafts.

There is also a thing called youtube that shows funny videos and you can learn how to do just about anything. I learned how to knit watching youtube, I can also look up great old tv shows or plays that you would like.

There is also something called google docs that is just like a typewriter (and similar to note pad you have learned how to use on the computer). Google docs stands for google documents, if I am helping you with your business you could type up a lease for a tenant and then I could log in and edit it and add to it. It is a really great sharing tool and allows for people to work on the same document at the same time.

I really wish we could teach you how to use a few of these things availalbe on the internet. It sure is a shame that we bought you a computer and it rarely gets turned on!


Our Class’s Agreed on Definition
Web 2.0 is the term used to describe a second generation of the World Wide Web. More simply, Web 2.0 refers to web-based applications/programs that serve as tools to enhance the web experience for users. Enhanced features typically include the ability for users to virtually interact with other users. Common Web 2.0 features offer the ability to: collaborate, network and share content and information in a virtual community. The purpose of these tools are to globally connect users in a virtual reality.
Examples of Web 2.0 include tools such as: wikis, blogs, forums, video sharing, web apps, etc.
Popular Web 2.0 examples: PBWorks (wiki); WordPress (blog); ProBoard (forums); Youtube (video sharing); Google Docs (web apps) Edmodo (forums: multi-uses) Epals (e-mail)
From an educational standpoint Web 2.0 can be very helpful for the classroom. There are multiple presentation tools like Prezi and Slideshare, video integration tools like Animoto and Gizmoz, Mobile Phone and Ipad Apps, community tools like Edmodo, GoogleDocs, WikiSpaces and ThinkQuest to name a few that can be introduced in the classroom. Web 2.0 makes uploading, sharing and collaborating in the classroom much easier than previous educational tools.