Using Web 2.0 for Instructional Purposes

Web 2.0 applications can be used to help aid instruction if properly implemented. One tool that has potential benefits in the classroom is Diigo. Diigo is a cloud-based personal information management system that can further be used for collaborative purposes. With Diigo, students have the ability to bookmark a webpage as displayed, or they have the option to highlight, annotate, or add sticky notes to a webpage and save the webpage with their editing. The bookmarked sites can then be shared with other individuals. Used for this purpose, Diigo has the ability to be used as a collaborative research platform for students.

A Web 2.0 proposed project that would incorporate the use of Diigo includes assigning students to research a topic that has been presented in class; and to bookmark these articles with their highlights, comments, and annotations to the class account. Students would then be tasked with reviewing another student’s articles and comments and responding with their own thoughts, both on the original article and their reaction to their peer’s comments.