What is the WEB 2.0?

A trend in web design and development - a perceived second generation of web-based communities and hosted services (such as social-networking sites, wikis and blogs) which aim to facilitate creativity, collaboration, and sharing between users.

What impact will it/or can have on me as a teacher?

Web 2.0 would have a great impact on me as a teacher. The problem is the school I am teaching in is so far behind in technology it is embarrassing. Presently, I have 3 computers and none are connected to the internet.

What's a wiki and how can I possibly use it?

A wiki is a collaboration tool - a web site where the pages can be changed and INSTANTLY published using only a web browser (no programming required). Pages are automatically created and linked to each other.
I probably would not use a Wiki after reading this:
“Any information can be changed or deleted by anyone. Wiki pages represent consensus because it’s much easier to delete flames and spam than indulge them. What remains is naturally meaningful.
“Anyone can play. This sounds like a recipe for low signal - Wiki gets hit by the great unwashed as often as any other site - but to make an impact on Wiki, you need to generate real content. Anything else will be removed. So anyone can play, but only good players last.”
Why Wikis Work, Ward Cunningham

Is there a difference between a Wiki and a Blog? Which would you be more likely to use?

The differences between a Wiki and a Blog is:
A blog is a closed system where only certain people can add or delete the content to the website. Where wiki is an open system where anyone can edit and add content. The idea behind wiki is that the masses will eventually correct any false information.
There is no way that I would use a wiki, where I definitely would blog.

What's a social network? Please provide examples. Do you belong to one?

Social network sites are web-based services that allow individuals to (1) construct a public or semi-public profile within a bounded system, (2) articulate a list of other users with whom they share a connection, and (3) view and share their list of connections and those made by others within the system. The nature of these connections may vary from site to site.
Some social networks are myspace and facebook.
I do not use any of these because I do not trust them.

Two things I've never heard of, Folksonomy and Software as a service?

Folksonomy is a combination of the words folks and taxonomy meaning "people classification management." This allows users some level of control over how the web is organized. One of the most popular tools of the folksonomy concept is tags.

Software as a Service (SaaS) is a software distribution model in which applications are hosted by a vendor or service provider and made available to customers over a network, typically the Internet.

I definitely do not use folksonomy or SaaS.

What are some of the current educational problems that technology might be able to solve?

Students that use computers stimulate their minds by making learning fun and captures their imagination. The Internet allows students to explore whole new worlds in real time. There is hardly a subject which can't benefit from the resources available on the Internet. Technology can be just one more tool in the serious teacher's portfolio.

Which of the current Web 2.0 trends do you think has the most potential to support student's future in your classroom?

The current Web 2.0 trends I think have the most potential, not just for the students but also for the teacher/parent relationship are:

• Timelines 2.0 - great for history lessons
• Google Earth - great for science and history lessons. Gives the student a sense of knowing what part of the world you are teaching.
• Online Calendars: parents would be aware of what you are teaching and homework assignments.
• Google docs - can be used by teacher to teacher/aide or between students working on a project and being able to update the doc in real time.

I found this link and it gave quite a few ideas on how to use Web 2.0 in your classroom.

http://www.classroom20.com/