Web 2.0: Unlearned Lessons from Previous Virtual Learning Environments

Abstract

Web 2.0 tools are changing the way we work online. As lecturers, we need to understand how these emerging technologies impact both on our students’ learning and on our own teaching practice. This means we must ourselves become more confident in our use of Web 2.0, to be able to cope with the rapidly changing nature of these technologies. In most cases the technical infrastructure is already in place, but this is not enough. Unless lecturers are given sufficient support and encouragement at an institutional level, the use of Web 2.0 will follow the VLE pattern of rapid but shallow adoption. If Web 2.0 applications are to fulfil their true potential, institutions must acknowledge the effort and time it takes lecturers to implement them as true learning and teaching tools.