Ever heard of Web 2.0?

No one has ever downloaded a new version of the internet have they? The answer should be quite obviously no. The term simply gives name to the idea that the internet has changed quite a bit from the 1990's. During this time web pages were primarily passive in that users solely had the ability to view content and not interact with it. This changed around the beginning of the 21st century. Both Adobe and Java are the primary developers of the technology that was required to make the internet a two way street. This allowed the level of social interaction that we have from the internet today. It is impossible to measure the effects this has had on us but one could confidently say that this allowed our society to reshape the way we educate, interact and view ourselves.

Layout of a class focused on online interaction

The effects these changes have had on education may in fact have happened so quickly that we are unable to determine the side effects and socially change accordingly. Lack of interest and focus in more traditional classroom settings have been blamed on this development, although it is hard to establish a direct link. Although curriculum's may need serious overhaul with an increased online classroom presence it can easily be argued that the positives out way the benefits. The additional more timely feedback students can receive is invaluable. In addition students that were limited to social interaction based on geographical location no longer have that restraint. Research and interaction on an international level are areas that many schools, particularly those of higher education are incorporating into their programs.

Illustration of the concepts included within the term "Web 2.0"

The level of social interaction that takes place has caused the creation of a cyber persona for most people who have access. This typically takes form in Facebook accounts or other social networking sites. Once again this is something that we many not have fully adjusted to socially as many controversies have been talked about in the media, particularly those involving cyber bullying. 

Online social interaction is something that we have become used to yet don't quite fully understand. Regardless, this new form of engagement in the form of blogs, posts, uploaded photos and videos and of course Tweets redefines community and our entire form of expression.