Web+Tools

by Brian Johnson

Identifying particular pedagogical ‘affordances’ of educational technology is fast becoming the Holy Grail of educational technologists and researchers alike. Both are interested in identifying the unique feature sets and characteristics of particular technologies that add value to the learning experience, over and above, what might be expected without the technology. No where is this more apparent, at the present time, than in respect to Web 2.0 technologies (McLoughlin & Lee 2007; Mejias, 2005)

A major component of the virtual learning environment includes the use of various web tools. These tools will be incorporated to facilitate learning, collaboration, and sharing among learners and institutions. Many of these tools are currently used in education today. Examples of Wed 2.0 tools are incoporated in the classroom and in distance learning programs at all levels of education. However, these tools are evolving into what is referred to as the semantic web. McLoughlin & Lee note how blogging entails typing and editing, which are not affordances in themselves, but rather enablers of affordances which include idea sharing and interaction (2007). They identify the following categories of ‘affordances’ associated with Web 2.0 or social software:

 Connectivity and social rapport  Collaborative information discovery and sharing  Content creation  Knowledge and information aggregation and content modification

The following YouTube video discusses the semantic web in great detail.

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The semantic web and [|Web 3.0 tools] which will be utilized in this "new" web, will be integrated at all levels of education. Today's web 2.0 tools are used for sharing, collaboration, and creation of ideas and projects. This has brought us closer together than any other type of communication in history. Until now we have had to rely on others' perceptions of what is important to know. From the media, to curriculum, to textbooks, we have been told what is important to know and what to learn about based on what information was placed in front of us, again based on others' ideas of what is important. However, the web allows us to pursue any topic that is of interest to us and investigate said topics any time it is convenient. However, there are some issues with the web tools that exist today. Not all people are privy to all the same information, as web browsers make "judgements" based on prior use.

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