E-Learning 2.0: Social Software for Educational Use

This paper focuses on the degree of penetration of web2.0 or social software in the educational field. First, the concepts web2.0, social software and e-learning 2.0 are discussed, the term 'social software' is defined, and the strengths of social software are presented. Secondly, a survey was conducted with 355 students and 163 instructors in order to examine to what extent social software is used and which purposes it serves. Our first results show that 'searching information' and 'communicating' seem to be the two main activities the internet is used for, both for instructors and students.