Question

Web 2.0 and the associated social media is changing the nature of our communications model in business as well as our social worlds. what are the strengths, weakness, limitations and opportunities associated with web 2.0?

Answer 1

During the last decade the way of living and working of society has changed significantly under the influence of the new generation technologies - the social media. Their widespread use in nonformal contexts generated ideas and hopes that they can play a significant role in increasing the efficiency of formal learning or creating opportunities for the development of a new learning experiences and practices. The interest among practitioners and academics in the integration of Web 2.0 technologies in formal education has increased over the last years. It is obvious that the social media cannot fit within the existing walls of the traditional classroom - both literally and metaphorically. What are the benefits and the risks Web 2.0 carries for teachers, learners and education as a whole? Along with the answer to these questions, this paper presents the experience of an experimented university course design based on Web 2.0 technologies which tries to utilize the advantages of social media and avoid the risks associated with their educational application. Key words: formal education, Web 2.0 technologies, learning design