Deriving a typology of Web 2.0 learning technologies

This paper presents the methods and outcomes of a typological analysis of Web 2.0 technologies. A comprehensive review incorporating over 2000 links led to identification of over 200 Web 2.0 technologies that were suitable for learning and teaching purposes. The typological analysis involved development of relevant Web 2.0 dimensions, grouping cases according to observed regularities and construction of types based on meaningful relationships. Characterisation of the constructed types incorporated descriptions based on attributes, examples of representative instances and typical pedagogical use cases. The analysis resulted in a typology of 37 types of Web 2.0 technologies that were arranged into 14 clusters. Results of this study imply that educators typically have a narrow conception of Web 2.0 technologies and there is a wide array of Web 2.0 tools and approaches yet to be fully harnessed by learning designers and educational researchers.