Awareness of the capabilities and use of social software attributes within and outside the educational context: moving towards collaborative learning with Web 2.0

Abstract : This paper reports early findings of an ongoing study to determine the use and impact of social educational software at undergraduate level. It summarizes the theoretical background to the educational use of social software and suggests directions for future research. The primary aim of the study was to capture and describe the extent and patterns of use of educational software and Web 2.0 technologies among first year undergraduate technology students taking the Web Development module. Results indicate [1] great variations in the ways in which students engage with both social and content-centred educational software environments; and [2] similarities in the ways of using social software within and outside the educational context.