Trent 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?” have some similar arguments. Both authors discuss that certain aspects of web 2.0 have been around for decades. In particular, Alexander states microcontent is nothing new but now it is mostly open for everyone to view. Batson proclaims that the technology of the web has been there since the very beginning; however, websites have become easier to use, allowing ordinary people, not just the computer geeks, to become users. Additionally, both authors mention that Web 2.0 is a way for people to share information. Alexander states one can draw information from the “wisdom of the crowds”; likewise, Batson claims students can inform one another and create a collective textbook. Furthermore, both authors use quotation marks in their titles.
On the other hand, Bryan Alexander’s and Trent Batson’s articles have some distinctions as well. First, Bryan Alexander claims that web 2.0 was a gradual emergence while Trent Batson believes web 2.0 is a true turning point comparable to Pearl Harbor or 9/11. In addition, Alexander’s audience is anyone who is somewhat familiar with the idea of Web 2.0. Contrastingly, Batson’s chief audience is professors and others affiliated with education. This is because Batson focuses on his belief that Web 2.0 can replace the procedures of the “traditional Classroom”. Moreover, Batson’s article is three years newer than Alexander’s. Perhaps part of Alexander’s argument would apply less today then Batson’s claims.
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You organization of your breakdown of similarities and differences between the two articles is good. You also use quotations appropriately throughout both paragraphs in order to support your points. Transitions are used appropriately, and good contrasting words such as "Moreover", "Contrastingly", "on the other hand", and "additionally." You found some good differences between the articles that I did not notices, as well as some similarities I didn't pick up on, such as how both authors used quotation marks in the titles.
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job of picking up on details that many readers, including myself, may not have. I particularly like your point about when the two articles were published. I didn't really pay much attention to the dates, but three years really can make a huge difference when considering technology and the internet. Incorporating the web into classrooms is becoming more relevant today, as Batson discussed, while social networking has evolved further since Alexander's article. Time is an overlooked but key detail when considering both authors' arguments.
ReplyDeleteI like what you said about the time difference in the articles. I never even thought about that. Web 2.0 is a constantly changing thing. When Alexander wrote his article Web 2.0 could have been a totally different thing. Now with websites like Facebook and Twitter, which are "Web 2.0", dominating the online world Alexander should readdress argument. Things have changed drastically since that time.
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