Web 2.0 and Blogging

Right, on to the summary of my first ICT workshop.

This session looked at the web and blogging - and since you are reading this, I can safely believe that you know something about the nature of blogging, so we will get to that later; but what about the term Web 2.0?

Now what do we mean by Web 2.0? Well, according to all sources this is just the name of the internet as it stand today; no fancy changes or upgrades, just the way it is and the way it is used.

It is the way that the internet encourages creativity, information sharing and collaboration amongst its users.  This ‘era’ of the net is predominantly recognisable due to the number of social-networking sites, wiki’s [online sources of information – very similar to an encyclopaedia] and blogs.

See my previous blog about eSafety to read about the implications of this type of internet usage.

In The Classroom

As technology becomes more and more integral in our everyday lives; it is only understandable that it takes a bigger place within the education system. 

PCs have been part of classroom learning for many years now – even I remember using them to creating words for displays and other similar projects – but computers are now seen as an extension of child’s ‘pen and paper’* work when it comes to creating projects and other classroom work.

With the introduction of the Interactive White Board, classes can access the internet while still sitting on the carpet during the lesson, accessing information instantly.

*when I say ‘pen and paper’ I just mean the average classroom activities that we used to do without the aid of computers.

Schools could use all this technology in a number of ways to help enhance the learning of pupils.  


A lot of schools now have a Managed Learning Area to keep home and school more connected.  Each class has their own 'room' on the network and from here class teachers can let everyone know what's in store for the coming week or term; and even present work from the students.


This is a great way of showcasing children's work - especially because they can share it with their whole family no matter where they are in the world; all by giving out a web link to where their work is displayed.


There are a number of ways that schools can use the internet to enhance the learning experience for children; but I believe that the most effect use of the internet - apart from for researching topics and homework - is using it within the Managed Learning Areas, sharing the work of the class with their families.