Learning about web 2.0

Web 2.0 is made up of tangible applications and tools, and the less tangible elements – the shifts in understanding around literacy, communication and collaboration, and what this means for learning. Together they can form a daunting challenge to newcomers – “where do I begin?” Alternatively, if you are familiar with some tools, the challenge can be to find the time and enthusiasm to look at others you may not currently use – in case they can support your approach and extend your toolkit as an educator and learner.

In my experience a good place to start for many teacher-learners is with the tools; once you are hands-on the rhetoric around web 2.0 has a context, and becomes a little easier to navigate. Here are a range of resources and current events that might be useful to explore, or to point out to teachers just starting to investigate web 2.0.

The Australian Flexible Learning Framework (in their e-tools and tips section) has a range of September workshops online. These are being hosted in Elluminate, which is very easy to use: just plug in a headset, go to the url provided – the software will download and you are away! These sessions even have some built in support for newcomers – log-in half an hour early and there is support to check your audio and get started. Sessions in September include:

* Virtual worlds
* Frappr, del.icio.us and Flickr (social bookmarking)
* Personal learning spaces (ispaces and third places)
* Digital storytelling
* Video in elearning
* Wikis and blogs – tools for elearning

Judy’s web 2.0 notes is a treasure trove for teachers starting out … it is easy to navigate and bursting with simple, accessible explanations and examples across many web 2.0 concepts.

For those that may wish to brush up on (or, in my case, start learning) about what underpins the internet, starting with basic HTML, W3schools offers free online web-building tutorials. There are also tutorials in advanced XML, SQL, Database, Multimedia, WAP and a range of other areas.

Do you have a favourite site that supports your own learning in web 2.0, or one that you suggest to other educators? Share it in the comments below and I’ll be sure to follow it up!

Until next week …