Web 2.0 - ichats-and other ponderables

I think the Bryan Alexander article, though densely written, did a terrific job defining Web 2.0 for a mainstream audience. His discussion and description of microcontent, folksonomies, RSS feeds, and ARGs (alternate reality games) was both informative and provocative.

He spent a considerable amount of time on social networking and the profusion of them on the Web. An interesting tangential article would discuss the popularity of these networks and the stratification of use by age, gender, and socio-economic status.

I am struck by the tempo of the technological change impacting the Web. The potential for astounding change and transformation is infinite. At the same time this potential for change is tempered by the dark side of possible societal and certainly educational consequences. It seems that educators and parents and kids should be having a conversation about how technology will impact student learning, how they process information, how they create meaning from that information, and how they critically assess information. Meanwhile the beat goes on and technology whether software or hardware continues to alter our society and schools on micro and macro levels. Sometimes I want to say slow down! I need a moment to catch up, reflect and engage with this new learning.