Introduction

With the advancements in technology I often wonder if the tools I am

learning about (Web 2.0 tools) are actually used by professionals in education or
the world of work. I further wonder why or why not. As a student I often enjoy
completing work and learning about various web 2.0 tools. However,
professionally I am writing a course for college students and am interested in
gauging what they feel is appropriate.
I want to create lessons that are informative and appropriate and stay
clear of anything that students may perceive as busy work or overly complicated.
The dissertations I elected to review focus on Web 2.0 in education, online
education and adult education. The course I am developing will be used online
for students at USC and adult learners in the customer service industry.


Dissertation #1 The Impacts of Web 2.0, Web 3.0, and
Web 4.0 Technologies Used in Distance Education

Kimbrell, J. (2013). The impacts of web 2.0, web 3.0, and web 4.0 technologies
used in distance education. (Order No. 1539003, East Carolina
University). ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, , 66. Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com/docview/1410659832?accountid=25998.
(1410659832).


Summary


Online education experiences vary from student to student; however, the
integration of Web 2.0 technology has made significant enhancements towards
improving options for distance education. Unfortunately, with all the benefits that
Web 2.0 technology offers, some students still face undesirable learning
outcomes. Undesirable outcomes with regard to technology include underutilized
and undervalued technology, misuse of technology, poor quality of lecture in
podcast, mobile platform not available, slow web-sites, instructional time spent
familiarizing students with the software, instructors who had a difficult time
keeping up with the technology, high demands on hardware and connection
speeds for some software, technical glitches seen as unfair to students, and
some technologies not useable on all platforms. This study explored factors
impacting post-secondary distance education through the use of Web 2.0, Web
3.0, and Web 4.0 technologies.



Review

When I originally pulled this thesis the thought of using Web 3.0 and 4.0
intrigued me in the classroom. Putting one foot in front of the other tells me
focus should be spent on increasing Web 2.0 before moving on. That thinking
however leaves me behind as the thesis explains technology is constantly
moving forward and educators must be prepared for these advancements.
Truth be told, I had never heard of Web 3.0 let alone 4.0 so my interest in this
issue was piqued. The researcher discusses the use of second life and virtual
reality as forms of Web 3.0, student feedback of that tool state that the use of
avatars appears juvenile and inappropriate. I do not have a second life
account, but have read several reviews that discuss it over the past ten days, I
am interested enough to explore it. I have begun considering incorporating it
into the customer service course I am developing. The researcher
acknowledged that her sample was based on a small university however the
sample size was large enough that I would consider the research contained in
the paper valid and worth additional consideration.

Dissertation # 2 Education And Technology In The 21st
Century Experiences Of Adult Online Learners Using
Web 2.0

Bryant, W. L. (2014). Education and technology in the 21st century experiences
of adult online learners using web 2.0. (Order No. 3615067, Capella
University). ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, , 109. Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com/docview/1524003159?accountid=25998.
(1524003159).

Summary

This dissertation was attempting to identify the potential barriers and
motivations to online learning and web 2.0 tools in online education for adult
learners. The study found that adult learners who use Web 2.0 tools in their
studies find them appropriate. Highlights of online learning were the ability to
learn at the students own pace and the ability for collaboration. Possible
barriers were identified as insufficient technical skills and lack of social
interactions. Previous studies had been completed relating to adult education
and online learning, this study wanted to see how the incorporation of web 2.0
tools affected the perception of adult online learners.

Review

As an adult online learner I was interested in the results of this study. A
few times during the article the researcher mentioned how motivation was a
factor in online success for adult learners, whether that motivation led to learning
how to use web 2.0 tools or participate in online discussions. As an adult
learner I struggle from time to time with changing technologies. For example, I
had considerable difficulty finding appropriate research articles. I was
overwhelmed by the vast number of articles that Google Scholar and Eric
presented. I do not recall how I completed research papers in college before
the internet but I do not remember feeling so lost. Perhaps it was the personal
touch that the researcher mentioned, had I struggled, I would have walked to a
reference desk and spoken to a person. There is a current song called
Automatic by Miranda Lambert, which mentions how things have gotten so
impersonal and automatic. I attended a major university and had a plethora of
resources at my disposal; I certainly understand how taking the research online
provides additional opportunities to those who had less accessible resources. I
found my self-using a new Web 2.0 tool, Easy Bib, while working in this online
research class. This tool certainly made my citations easier. I will continue to
embrace web 2.0 tools, as they seem to make life easier, once you learn how to
use them.
Dissertation 3: Teachers' Perceptions And Attitudes
Toward The Implementation Of Web 2.0 Tools In
Secondary Education

Quadri, L. K. (2014). Teachers' perceptions and attitudes toward the
implementation of web 2.0 tools in secondary education.(Order No. 3611469,
Walden University). ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, , 117. Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com/docview/1501974345?accountid=25998.
(1501974345).



Summary

This dissertation was researching the perception of High School Teachers
and their usage of web 2.0 Tool. Previous studies have discussed barriers and
potential problems with Web 2.o tools in the secondary school setting. The
researcher was aware of those studies and was interested in seeing how these
barriers affect perception. The research was conducted at a small high school in
the northwestern corner of the United States. The researcher stated in her
limitations that this study was not an accurate representation of secondary level
teachers, rather a snapshot of her selected school at the selected time. The
researcher states that a social change is needed where teachers would optimize
learners in an environment enriched with Web 2.0 tools.

Review

Over the past several days I have read many studies regarding
perceptions of teachers. Each with a relatively small sample size. This was
the first that I can recall that states early on, and a few times throughout the
document that the data found within is simply showing the perceptions of
secondary teachers at one school at one particular time. The sample size only
included teachers who taught a computer application course and the researcher
states that a subgroup of computer-oriented teachers may also have skewed her
findings. The researcher presents rationale as to why some teachers are not
incorporating web 2.0 tools into the classroom; those reasons include lack of
Internet access and lack of knowledge on behalf of the teachers. The recurring
theme of this dissertation was that a social change needs to occur in order for
Web 2.0 tools to be more commonplace in the high schools. I certainly hope I
can be part of that social change as I move forward in my career.