It differs from web 1.0 in terms of the syndication and authoring capabilities of the new social computing applications and the modus operandi of the individuals, groups and communities that use them to connect, create and share ideas and communicate. It is the read/write web that goes beyond the provision of viewable and downloadable content enabling users to actively contribute and share the content (Lee & Loughlin, 2011). Go2Web20

In short:

It is the second generation or more personalized, communicative form of the web that emphasizes:

• Active participation
• Connectivity
• Collaboration
• Sharing of knowledge and ideas among others

Some key concepts and terms

Social informatics-design, adoption and use of ICT is related to people’s actions and the environments and social contexts these take place in.

Teaching and learning with tools that are otherwise used in social contexts requires teachers to demonstrate its relevance and to adopt innovative approaches that take advantage of the unique capabilities and affordances of these tools, as opposed to using them just for the sake of novelty.

Access to a variety and volume of user generated content/open content demands students develop information literacy skills to effectively find, evaluate, and create information. Additionally, beyond search and retrieval, information is contextualized, analyzed, visualized and synthesized-involving complex critical thinking skills.

Students must be made aware of the expectations regarding academic integrity, citing of sources when engaging in emerging forms of collaborative scholarship and self expression using social computing tools. Concerns of copyright, ownership and IP should be dealt with by educators and institutions.

Another challenge is fostering learning self direction and self regulation. Educators are confronted with the challenge of negotiating balance in the way of promoting learner control, knowledge creation, autonomy, and agency by offering flexible options and choice, while simultaneously providing learners with the needs guidance and structure and adding value to the learning process. Staff competence and confidence in using and applying these tools to support learning is also a critical issue.

On a lighter note... Web 2.0 rhymes

An API New Year to all!

'Twas Brizzly, and the StixyHyves
Did Plurk and Tinker in the Waze;
All Moomeo were the Blogger posts,
And the Jing Googlewave'd.

"Beware the Jabbify, my son!
The apps that bite, the widgets catch!
Beware the Joomla blog, and shun
The Posterous Bricabox!"

He took his Skrbl sword in hand:
Long time the Meehive foe he sought—
So rested he by the Twitter tree,
And stood awhile in thought.

And as in Qwiskish thought he stood,
The Chatterbox, with eyes of flame,
Came Mixin through the Digsby wood,
And Yoople’d as it came!

One, two! One, two! and through and through
The Skrbl blade went Flickr-Flock!
He left it dead, and with its head
He went Twalkin back."

And hast thou slain the Chatterbox?
Come to my arms, my Bebo boy!
O Delicious day! Yahoo! Yuku!"
He chortled in his joy.

'Twas Brizzly, and the Stixy Hyves
Did Digg and Dropbox in the Wayn;
All Memoove were the Blogger posts,
And the Moof Feedjit Scribd.

(With a tip of the hat to Lewis Carroll)

Source: steve-wheeler@blogspot.com