The Second Website Generation (Web 2.0): The Concept and its Educational Usages

Abstract

This research aims at presenting a theoretical description of the concept of Web 2.0 as it consists the most important technological innovations in the current century in general. It also describes the technical applications (for Web 2.0) in detail, dealing with its definition, significance, benefits and possible educational uses based on studies and experiments conducted by a number of Arab and international universities on the use of (Web 2.0) and its applications in the field of education. The researchers have used the descriptive method of analysis and synthesis by monitoring and analyzing the effects of the experience of using Web 2.0 applications at the university level internationally and regionally. The study reviews and integrates the results of previous studies, researches and usage experiences in a way so as to discuss each objective in the research, encouraging by that the use of Web 2.0 applications in universities in order for a maximum benefit to be achieved. Among the most important findings of the research are the following: - Applying the web 2.0 applications in universities educational system in particular, and in the other various educational stages in general, has become an urgent necessity imposed by the requirements of living for adapting with the twenty-first century. - The (Web 2.0) applications are used in universities educational programs more than in public education. - According to researches and experimentation, the applications of (Web 2.0) which have proved to be effective in achieving an education that meets the individual and social aspirations in today’s information revolution are: the educational blogs, participatory wikis, social networks (social networking sites), and site summary (RSS feed).