Web 2.0

What exactly is Web 2.0? The answer to this question is very subjective, as shown in Trant Batson's article, Why is Web 2.0 Important to Higher Education," and Bryan Alexander's article, "Web 2.0: A New Wave of Innovation for Teaching and Learning." Batson uses words like "turning point," "moment," and "advent"numerous times to describe Web 2.0 as something that happened suddenly and at a specific time. He explains that the technology was always there, but there was a point at which websites became easier to use and started catering more toward normal people's interests and purposes. On the other hand, Alexander's article could serve as a direct attack on Batson's definition of Web 2.0. Alexander argues that Web 2.0 is not about a single new development, but rather a continuous and gradual evolution of the internet. He stresses that "the label "Web 2.0" is far less important that the concepts, projects, and practices included in its scope.

Of these concepts, the one that both authors agree on is the social aspect of Web 2.0. Alexander stresses the vast emergence of social networking sites and blogs. He argues that blogs and discussion threads offer a whole new style of communication, much different from the outdated style that books offer. Batson describes the importance of the social aspect of Web 2.0 as creating a whole new style of learning, one that stresses cooperation, not only among students, but between students and teachers. He states that this cooperation is the key feature that was missing in old teaching styles, and now, thanks to Web 2.0, "We no longer lack the resources and tools to develop learning designs that fit how people learn." Although Batson and Alexander disagree on the meaning of the label "Web 2.0" as well as when it actually came into existence, they both agree that the social function of it is an important key to successful education.