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=**Web 2.0 Collaborative Project for Computer Applications**=

=**What is Web 2.0?**= The term Web 2.0 was first used by Tim O'Reily in 2004 to describe monumental changes in the function of the internet. It allows for an interactive and collaborative experiences where members can write what they want, both fiction and non-fiction, others can comment, and edit what the first user has written.Web 2.0 is a step up from the previous term web 1.0. When considering the full effect of Web 2.0 on current internet users, we must consider a couple key factors, namely: The internet has transformed from a place where individuals go to find information, to a place where individuals create, share, participate, collaborate, and creation of a community.

Features of Web 2.0
Web 2.0 allows communities to be developed via the internet through blogs,twitter, facebook, etc, with the expectation that the interactivity between community members will enhance everyone's understanding and knowledge base. Web 2.0 users are not satisfied with reading encyclopedia articles online (like that of NetScape or Encarta), but they want to be able to share their thoughts and feelings, and make corrections based on newer and more current information. Web 2.0 users want to create and share their original work. When the internet was first utilized by the general public, storage space and applications were limited. With cloud computing and larger data storage capacities, users are no longer limited to what content they decide to share online, and who can view it. One of my favorite examples to illustrate this point is that 48 hours of content is downloaded onto the YouTube Servers every minute (youtube.com/t/faq). The capability and capacity to maintain such a sophisticated system would not have been possible without first considering user needs and expectations. Where content, applications, and programs were once created based on the needs / expectations of larger corporations; what currently facilitates advancements in technology are user demands and expectations.

Examples of Web 2.0
Facebook, Pinterest, and Blogs are all examples of Web 2.0. On these sites users can contribute, edit and comment on other user's information.

The following chart was developed in the initial brainstorming efforts of Tim O'Reily and his media company to compare the technological upgrade from Web 1.0 to Web 2.0. Chart orginally posted on []
 * ~ Web 1.0 ||~  ||~ Web 2.0 ||
 * DoubleClick || --> || Google AdSense ||
 * Ofoto || --> || Flickr ||
 * Akamai || --> || BitTorrent ||
 * mp3.com || --> || Napster ||
 * Britannica Online || --> || Wikipedia ||
 * personal websites || --> || blogging ||
 * evite || --> || upcoming.org and EVDB ||
 * domain name speculation || --> || search engine optimization ||
 * page views || --> || cost per click ||
 * screen scraping || --> || web services ||
 * publishing || --> || participation ||
 * content management systems || --> || wikis ||
 * directories (taxonomy) || --> || tagging ("folksonomy") ||
 * stickiness || --> || syndication ||

=Application Examples=

Art
A classroom blog can be developed to share lessons, student work, professional development opportunities, product reviews etc. Many art teachers and professional groups already have pages on facebook to promote collaboration, networking and advocacy for our profession.

Science
In science we can use web 2.0 for students to input their data into a chart after completing an experiment. The students can then edit, comment and compare the data from each students experiment.

Higher Education
As a more mature and literate audience, the vicissitudes of the internet and web 2.0 applications are more predominant in Higher Education than possibly any other population. Blogs, wikis, wikipedia, social media, video streaming, photo sharing, and audio content all seem to converge as a tool to educate and inform this student population. More-so than with any other group, college students are using social networking to assist their friends with homework assignments (to clarify what the assignment is and possible due dates, etc); Then these students rely on up-to-date blogs to assist in finding current information, defining operational definitions on wikipedia, and enhancing projects with videos and pictures borrowed from social sharing sites. In the college classroom, wikipedia is becoming more of an accepted source, but even if professors do not want students to use wikipedia as an only source, students may still be able to glean important aspects about the content and then refer to scholarly articles to reinforce and enhance their understanding. Discussion boards are also another web 2.0 tool that should not be over looked. In Higher Education, these discussion boards are how students will continue the discussion and continue learning long after they are dismissed from class.

Implications of Web 2.0 in Our Teaching and Learning Contexts
Web 2.0 has the ability to connect with students outside of school, creating another virtual learning environment. Web 2.0 features allows for students to also connect not just socially, but academically through the guidance of their teacher. Along with growing a classroom community, Web 2.0 allows for teachers and other educational professionals to connect with one another through common interest via their subject area. Blogs are especially capable of this as they allow educators to see there are other teachers who struggle with similar obstacles, provide a forum where teachers can support their individual educational endeavors, and just overall inspiration within the educational field.

The Wichita Public School used web 2.0 for an annual weather project. During this project, your classroom will observe the weather and collect this data for your region. You will then share your results with other classrooms from all over the world. Participating classrooms will share data and project by using this site or by video conference. This will allow everyone the chance to investigate the different climates in different regions. The results will then be available so you and your students can analyze this data. This project will also allow your students to work collaboratively and see those participating schools and also get the chance to reach outside their school walls. Who knows, maybe along the way you will get a chance to meet a real meteorologist through a video conference or our Live Events Channel. The project can be viewed at : []
 * Science**

**Higher Education** Another feature of Web 2.0 is the ubiquitous nature of the internet. Students now have the internet via wifi on their phones and laptops. Some even have data packages that ensure that they always have access to the internet. These changes in the internet have created a world where learning takes place far beyond the wall so the classroom, and at times which are convenient for the student. .