Abstract

Sunil Tyagi * and Krishna Kumar

The main objective of the study is to conduct a usage analysis of Web 2.0 technologies in learning environment by faculties of selected universities at Western Uttar Pradesh. The present study sought to assess awareness of Web 2.0 and find out the use of wikis, blogs, RSS feed, social networks, podcasting, SNS, Mashup by the university faculties in Western Uttar Pradesh. The methodology for the proposed study is “survey method” with the help of structured questionnaire. The structured questionnaire is designed keeping in view of the stated objectives comprising of various types of questions, keeping in view of the aspects like total population of faculties in the university, perceived level of computer literacy, selection/recommendation of Web 2.0 tools, promotion of Web 2.0 technology and future plans to improve usage of Web 2.0 technologies in education. The sample consists of 4 Universities in the Western Uttar Pradesh. A questionnaire was distributed among the Professors, Associate Professors, Assistant Professors and Lecturers to collect desired data. A total of 120 questionnaires were distributed to the selected sample for the current year; 107 valid samples were collected and analyzed. Web 2.0 is especially useful and creative when knowledge is digitized, modular and allowed to be used and distributed in a flexible way. Study was carried out to know the awareness regarding Web 2.0 tools like blogs, Wikipedia, RSS feed, social networks, podcasting, and others SNS, Mashup. It is observed that almost all of the respondents have good knowledge about the Web 2.0. All of the respondents stated that the Web 2.0 technologies play important role in education. The author suggested that librarians in university libraries explore ways to provide reference service via text/SMS services. Offering training workshops on Web 2.0 tools and technologies to library patrons is also suggested. The author also recommended that libraries provide systematic training for staff on Web 2.0 technologies so as to alleviate their anxiety over technology. There exist a number of studies on the Web 2.0 applications, but this is the first of its kind within the Western Uttar Pradesh of India.