JPPSS Instrunctional Technology Integration Institute

I am in the midst of a great covention of educators from the Jefferson Parish public school system. Thus far, it has been a wonderful and worthwhile learning experience.

I attend a session called Web 2.0. It turns out that I had already been using Web 2.0, but didn't realize it. Nor was I reaping the full benefits.

Web 2.0 is the use of any interactive website. Whether it be social networking, blogging, or updating your life to the world constantly, these are all a part of Web 2.0. Even if all you do is search for information and then comment and/or put in your "two cents", you are still using this system.

The concept behind Web 2.0 is this: that we control the content of the website, not just access them and read information. By using this system, we can not only gather information on topics that are important to us, but also contribute our knowledge or expertise in certain areas, as well as elaborate by posting comments to others' pages. Twitter, facebook, blogging, and Wikis are some common examples of Web 2.0 interactions.

The purpose of the class I attended today was to realize the benefits of incorporating this kind of technology in the classroom. I definitly intend to do so.