What Web 2.0 Technology?

Dr. Bert's questions from the last formal class session were  1) what emerging technology am I currently using?  2) what emerging technology are my students/children using?  and 3) what 3 technologies do I think will have most impact in the classroom in the next 2-3 years?

I have two children in college.  When my daughter left two years ago, we asked, "why don't you email us?"  Because nobody emails anymore, she said.  So, what do you do?  Well, Facebook, IM, text, and Skype.  Mom and Dad very quickly had to learn the new ways of communicating.  She would also like an iPhone but we don't see why she needs it.  That's another story.  She is currently in New Zealand for a semester so we have a few months to think about it.   ;)

I began using Facebook Group and Laulima Forum for a class I'm teaching this semester.  I use them in lieu of classroom discussions, and find that those educational social networking tools can be very useful.  They seem to stimulate (force?) the students to think more before converting their thoughts into written words.  The added benefit is that even the shy ones have a chance to contribute and everyone listens.  Our class time is usually for guest speakers, topic introductions, and also for reviewing the written discussions.

I think another reason why those tools work is because my students were already using them. They were familiar with Facebook and Laulima, and they continue to use them everyday.  I think some are on Facebook 24 hours a day, and they are on Laulima for most of their classes.  So it's easy for them to just do another task for my class.  I like the social aspect of Facebook too, where I get to eavesdrop a little more about what they are discussing outside of class, and they get to "hear me" some times.  Of course there are downsides to Facebook.  I think I'll use this for the Discussion assignment so will talk about it more later.

What 3 technologies will have the greatest impact in the classroom?  For now, I'll pick social network, mobile technology, and augmented reality.  I'm just starting to learn about augmented reality, and think it's likely to emerge more quickly than virtual reality. I just might have to get an iPhone to explore these emerging technologies.  :)