web+2.0+and+social+skills

=Web 2.0 and Social Skills= With the ever increasing presence of Web 2.0, it is very evident that the first decade of the 21st century has brought about a whole new world. PBS aired a video documentary called [|Frontline: Digital Nation] a few months ago looking at how technology has impacted our world since the beginning of the world wide web. Their research and insight brings clarity to the world in which we operate today, as well as raises important questions for where do we go from here. Nowhere is Web 2.0 effects more noticeable than in the public awareness of Cyber Citizenship and Cyberbullying, in addition to, the increased connecting and collaboration that happens from the classroom to the corporate boardroom.

Cyber-Citizenship
Everyday millions of people are online participating in social networks, collaborating on online business, engaging in social chats, gaming and the list goes on. With the increase of online participation there arises the need for the education of today's students and adults regarding Cyber-Citizenship. One group who has adopted cyber citizenship as their main platform is [|The Cyber Citizen Partnership.] On their website The Cyber Citizenship Partnership [|defines] cyber citizenship as "responsible cyber social behavior". They also note that cyber citizenship may also be referred to as "cyber ethics" and "netequite". Keep in mind though, that cyber citizenship is not just for focus groups. Even You Tube has provided public service announcements such as "[|Detecting Lies and Staying True]". One article that clearly discusses the awareness of cyber citizenship, is Stephanie Clifford's piece from the New York Times, on [|Teaching About Web Includes Troublesome Parts]

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Cyberbullying
With the increase of online participation there also arises the awareness of online intimidation and harassment commonly known as cyber bullying. One [|website] reported that 77% of students reported being bullied mentally, verbally, and physically. They go further to state that half of all bullying cases go unreported. Statistics from the group [|i-safe Inc.] show that approximately 42% of kids have been bullied while online and 58% of kids have not told any trusted adult, i.e. parent, teacher, etc. about mean or harmful encounters they have had while online. While having our students work online with Web 2.0, it is not only important to teach them about cyber citizenship, but we also need to teach them about "stranger danger" on the vast arena of the World Wide Web. In educating about cyber bullying we need to be sure to educate ourselves and our students about the [|warning signs], which are not the same as the immediate signs of physical bullying. We also need to be aware of how to report incidences to those who can do something about it. Below is a list to helpful links regarding cyber bullying and reporting cyber crimes.

** __Helpful Links__ **
[|i-Safe Inc.] [|Cyber Bullying Research Center] [|Cyber Tipline]

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Connecting & Collaborating
The foremost advantage of Web 2.0 in the 21st century is its power to connect individuals of all backgrounds socially, as well as allowing groups of all types to collaborate in meaningful ways, thus changing the way the world works today and in the future. One research group who has undertaken many studies to understand this dynamic is the [|Pew Research Center.] In one research poll that they have conducted, they found that many of today's youth and young adults are blogging less. Instead they found that nearly three-fourths of youth (ages 12-17) and three-fourths of young adults (ages 17-30) are participating in social networking more. However, the research did show that youth and young adults connecting through wireless networks is increasing. The review of the research study can be found in the review entitled "[|Social Media and Young Adults]". Another presentation by the Pew Research Center has interesting [|statistics] of where we have come from and where we are going with online connectivity especially with today's generation. One of the more interesting research findings by the Pew Research Center is the idea that by the year 2020 most work will be conducted on the "[|webcloud]" instead of on the desktop. Of course this is just a preliminary study and the reality is yet to be seen. Yet, never-the-less, today's students will be commencing into a world where what once took days and weeks through the pony express, will now take only minutes, even seconds through cyberspace. The dynamics of connecting and collaborating are changing the way life is today.

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