Web 2.0 and Mobile Learning

Web 2.0 is an interactive platform in which users can manipulate, create, share, participate, and put information on the web.  The control of Web 2.0 is in the hands of the users, as opposed to just the creators.  Blogs, wikis, podcasts, social networking, and many more are all included in Web 2.0.  Mobile learning is learning that happens on mobile devices such as iPods, iPads, smart phones, and any other mobile device that is capable of providing the user with learning opportunities.  Mobile applications are downloaded to these devices to help facilitate the learning.

The impact of incorporating Web 2.0 and mobile learning into education is great and will continue to be great.  No longer is learning sitting at a desk, in a classroom, taking notes, reading text books, and listening to the teacher lecture.  It's creating, developing, and sharing information via forms other than pencil-paper.  There is so much information available at our fingertips.  Learning that happens on the web and on mobile devices is more interactive and attention grabbing.  It prepares students for the outside world that, most likely, will include the use of many mobile devices and other forms of technology.  Students are now able to collaborate with others over the web.  They can interact a number of ways with students in their class, their teachers, other classes, and even people across the world.  There are endless Web 2.0 tools that are available and appropriate for all grade levels and ages.  

While there impact of Web 2.0 and mobile learning has been great, that does not go without saying that there are also challenges that arise.  One of the biggest challenges I have seen first hand with incorporating Web 2.0 or mobile learning into my classroom is the variances in user familiarity and fluency.  Some of my students have personal computers and access to many different mobile devices available to use at home and some of my students have none.  That often leads to difficulty when doing activities in the classroom when some students require a lot of support with technology and some require none.  Another challenge is technical problems that may arise and teacher knowledge.  I have witnessed when the internet crashes or kicks students off programs with no explanation other than too many users at once.  Also, if technical problems arise and the teacher is unaware of how to solve those issues, it may cause a big break in the learning that is supposed to be happening.

While there are both benefits and challenges to using mobile learning and apps in the classroom, I don't think that their use is going anywhere.  I have tried to embrace the use of these things in my classroom and have seen some really great things happen.  I will continue to learn and grow and become more skilled at using apps and technology so that I can teach my students and introduce them to some really great learning styles that are different than the traditional approaches.   I do not think things like BYOD will ever be fully incorporated, as the difficulties of it are too great.  Not all students have access to their own devices and schools often do not have the money to provide those things to all students.  I do not think the use of Web 2.0 and mobile learning is going any where, so why not become a more fluent user myself?