Module 3: Web 2.0 Technology

 

Web 2.0 in ESL Teaching

A Summary of Integrating web 2.0 technology in ESL classroom: A review on the benefits and barriers by Shakir et al.

Third Blog Entry

 

What is Web 2.0?

        Technology is an ever-changing concept in today’s world. The resources within it are also evolving, such as the internet itself. The definition of the term Web 2.0 has been discussed and defined in different ways by different scholars. It is generally defined as a change in the way people view and use the internet allowing for collaboration and sharing of knowledge. It refers to the second generation of web development and design that allows users to create, share, and access content which is a departure from the previous use of web as a place for just receiving information and entertainment. The use of Web 2.0 in language teaching has both advantages and disadvantages. As a whole, the benefits outweigh the barriers, but there need to be measures taken, such as providing training and technical support alongside encouragement of active participation and self-discipline, to ensure optimized learning.

 

Benefits of Web 2.0 in ESL Learning

        Technology is an essential tool in language teaching because learners are now digital natives, and by using an environment they are familiar with, the process of learning is facilitated. Having the materials be able to be viewed chronologically in blogs or other social networking pages is very convenient for building on previous materials. Instagram and similar social platforms provide users with contextualized content and expand learning horizons to outside the classroom. Online chat groups such as Facebook groups create an environment to ease peer-to-peer communication, helping them enhance their skills together. Surveys show that the use of Web 2.0 has shown a higher peer-to-peer interaction than traditional face-to-face classes in a more relaxed and comfortable environment that is community-based.

 

Barriers of Web 2.0 in ESL Learning

        There are also some disadvantages to using Web 2.0 in language classes. There might be distractions caused by other features of the social networking website -such as Facebook- when the students only need to use one feature. There might appear some technical issues regarding a lower speed with more users on the website. For some students it is difficult to be self-disciplined enough to learn online which causes a higher rate of dropping out. The double use of blogs in private and learning mode might also lead to a difficulty for the students to differentiate between appropriate language.

My Reflection

      Some Web 2.0 websites such as YouTube present challenges to Iranian students because of censorships difficulties connecting to VPNs and low internet speeds. Other tools such as Gloster present challenges due to the students and teachers not being familiar with it due to it not being accessible. Blogs provide the students with the opportunity to write freely, show creativity, control their own learning and not be restricted to practicing just one skill. This tool is known in Iran, but students and teachers do not use this tool, the main reason being that do not know how blogs can help in the learning process. LMS or learning management system provides all the functions of wiki, email, blog, etc. in one package, making it easier to present and practice content, give feedback and track progress in individual and group settings, in class or outside of it. This tool isn’t used in Iranian classes either. There need to be trainings and introductions of teachers to these tools in Iran to promote the use of Web 2.0 and other technologies in language classes.

Annotated Bibliography

Article number 1

Name: Web 2.0 for Language Learning: Benefits and Challenges for Educators

Writer: Tian Luo  

Year: 2013

Link:https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1016&context=stemps_fac_pubs 

Article number 2

Name: The use of Web 2.0 Tools for Learning in EFL

Writer: Mariska Intan Sari

Year: 2019

Link: https://journal.umy.ac.id/index.php/FTL/article/view/7206dir="ltr">

Article number 3 

Book name: A Curse in English Language Studies

Writer: Penny Ur

Second Edition, 2012

This blog post is based on collaborative writing completed on a group wiki.