Evaluation of Web 2.0 Tools in the e-Learning Context: Case Studies Related to Pedagogy and Usability

The potential uses of Web 2.0 tools are investigated in case studies of several hybrid academic courses with an emphasis on their usability and potential for improvement of pedagogy (creativity, collaboration, peer-to-peer learning, etc.). More than 35 different Web 2.0 tools were included in courses in the 2009/2010 academic year and for 20 of them a detailed usability survey was performed. Conclusions are made regarding the choice of Web 2.0 tools for academic education, the integration of artifacts produced by the students in wiki, blog, online community tools, e-portfolio, or Moodle LMS. These activities were performed as part of the EduWeb2.0 project and are discussed from the aspects of technology, pedagogy, innovation, and usefulness.

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