Why Learn About Web 2.0

Wikipedia says:

The term "Web 2.0" is commonly associated with web applications that facilitate interactive information sharing, interoperability, user-centered design, and collaboration on the World Wide Web. ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_2.0

The emphasis on interactive and information sharing is the most interesting to me.

Reading a book is usually a singular activity. Then you join a class or a book club and you get to discuss why the characters did something or what the author was trying to convey. Now you have more insight into the characters than you had before, whether you agree with the other people in the discussion or not.

The same is true for setting up an agenda, creating a presentation or espousing an idea that is new to you. If you work in a vacuum, you may not see some possibilities that would improve your output. The ability to create and receive feedback from a variety of points of view broadens your understanding.

Another aspect that fascinates me is the user-centered design. Everyone learns things differently. The interactivity allows an individual to replay or redo something until it becomes part of his/her knowledge base. There is no one around to criticize the amount of time it takes to learn the particular subject.

New Ways to Communicate

Learning to communicate using different methods has always been an interest. In the beginning, we babbled and hoped someone understood our needs. Learning to talk was a significant improvement.

When I was young, smaller radio stations had to go off the air at sundown. "Clear Channel" stations could then be heard from both the East and West coasts. Sitting up until the early hours of the morning listening to new stations was a great thrill. Then came TV, shortwave radio, computers and mobile devices. Reading newspapers, magazines and books brought a whole new way of thinking about things and relating to others.

I love the idea of this exploration of Web 2.0 as a means of discovering new ways to learn.