Intel Goes Web 2.0

The hot topic in education technology this school year has definitely been Web 2.0 ; a term used to describe how the Internet has shifted from a "consumable" resource to an interactive environment where global citizens "contribute" to a wealth of information. Examples of Web 2.0 include wikis, blogs, online collaborative editing sites, tagging/bookmarking, podcasting, Really Simple Syndication (RSS), and online video. The popularity and innovative uses of these Internet applications continue to grow exponentially.

Another indication that Web 2.0 is impacting education is the recent announcement by Intel®... They have redesigned their Essentials Course (formerly Teach to the Future) to align with the most current pedagogical approaches and promote 21st century skills such as wikis, blogs, online collaborative editing sites, and tagging/bookmarking (sound familiar?). The curriculum still includes the integration of Microsoft Office products, but now provides information for alternatives such as Open Office.

The changes emphasize the fact that we need to teach and learn with 21st century tools. I welcome the decision to update the curriculum and look forward to facilitating another cohort of New Prague teachers!