The+World+of+Web+2.0

=**What is Web 2.0? **=

According to Wikipedia, perhaps the most widely used example of Web 2.0, "**//Web 2.0//** is a term describing the trend in the use of World Wide Web technology and web design that aims to enhance creativity, information sharing, and, most notably, collaboration among users." The Internet has progressed beyond just an "information superhighway" and become a social platform for sharing, creating and collaborating. Web design, once a complicated process, has been greatly simplified as Web 2.0 tools make it fast and easy for almost anyone with basic computer knowledge to create, maintain and contribute to a website. These tools are taking education in exciting new directions as teachers explore their potential. Students can now use web tools to create and collaborate on multimedia projects, discuss classroom topics beyond classroom walls, and even connect with the global community to solve problems and answer questions.

= Social Networking and Wikis = Students are already using this type of technology if they have a Myspace or a Facebook page. These websites allow users to upload music, pictures, videos and other file types. They can also make their site available to anyone online and create a network of "friends" that can communicate any time and anywhere. For educators, the value of social networking goes well beyond "chatting" and making new friends. It provides a platform for collaboration and cooperative learning that extends outside the classroom setting and into student homes. Wikispaces, Ning, and Pbwiki  =**Social Bookmarking **=

organizing and sharing the endless information on the web [|Social Bookmarking explained] 
 * [|Delicious]
 * [|Diigo]
 * RSS Feeds

=**Other Web 2.0 Tools and Resources **=


 * [] --this site contains the most comprehensive list of Web 2.0 tools available. Spend some time browsing and find something new and exciting!


 * [|**Google Docs**]--This is a site that will allow students to create or upload word documents and powerpoint projects. Once uploaded, they can collaborate on the documents from a computer anywhere.


 * **Timeline Creation Websites**--students can create collaborative multimedia web timelines with these sites:
 * [|**http://www.xtimeline.com/**]
 * [|**http://www.dipity.com**]
 * Students can build **digital posters** using these sites.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">[|**http://poster.4teachers.org/index.php**]
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">[|**http:www.gliffy.com**]
 * <span style="color: #810081; font-family: Georgia,serif;">__[]__


 * **Online Survey and Quiz Creators**
 * [|www.surveymonkey.com]
 * [|www.zoomerang.com]
 * []
 * []


 * **Global Collaboration**
 * Second Life
 * [|http://www.Takingitglobal.org]
 * <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">[]

=**<span style="color: #640b66; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif;">Additional Reading **=
 * //[|Creating and Connecting:Research and Guidelines on Online Social and Educational Networking]// by the National School Boards Association
 * //[|Science 2.0: Is Open Access Science the Future?]// from __Scientific American__ Online
 * //[|Is Google Making us Stupid?]// From __The Atlantic.com__
 * [|What is Web 2.0: Design Patterns and Business Models For the Next Generation of Software//] by Tim O'Reilley
 * //[|Educators Assess 'Open Content' Movement]//--an article in Education Week about the growing trend of Web 2.0 resources in the classroom