The Evolution of the Web and Its Implications on Education

The evolution and development of the web, more commonly known as the internet nowadays, has grown by leaps and bounds throughout the decades. The internet has grown exponentially from Web 1.0 to Web 3.0.

Web 1.0

Web 1.0 is the term for the earliest version of the internet from the 1990s to the early 2000s (Ledger Academy, 2023). It was referred to as read-only web or static web, with very limited interactivity and simple website designs. Interaction with websites during this era was very basic. Users could click on links to navigate between pages, but features such as online shopping, social networking, and user-generated content were virtually non-existent. In addition, websites were designed with minimal multimedia elements — barely any pictures or videos.

Web 2.0

Web 2.0, on the other hand, is an evolution of Web 1.0. Web 2.0 is considered as dynamic web, as opposed to Web 1.0, which was normally text-based. Also,  Web 2.0 is what is commonly known as internet wherein social media is commonly used; social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly known as Twitter), to name a few, are used to communicate and interact. According to Kenton (2024), Web 2.0 has more user-generated content, greater usability for end-users, and a more participatory culture within the internet users. Users of the internet can publish articles via blogs and even upload vlogs (video blogs) on video-sharing sites such as YouTube, thus expanding their reach.

Web 3.0

Web 3.0 was first coined by John Markoff of the New York Times and he suggested Web 3.0 as third generation of the web in 2006 (Choudhury, 2014). Web 3.0 is built upon the concepts of decentralization, openness, and greater user utility.

With Web 3.0, the data generated by disparate and increasingly powerful computing resources, including mobile phones, desktops, home appliances, and vehicles, will be sold by users through decentralized data networks, ensuring that users retain ownership control. Users will therefore have more “control” over the internet. Additionally, in Web 3.0, it will use machine learning, a branch of artificial intelligence or AI that uses data and algorithms to imitate how humans learn, thus improving its accuracy.

Gerstein on the Evolution of the Web and Education

Gerstein (2014) wrote an article on comparing the development of the Web to Education. With the evolution of the internet, it is logical that schools worldwide have been following suit in the utilization of the internet in order to further educate the students. Nowadays, online classes use Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Google Classroom. Some teachers use interactive sites like Padlet and Kahoot to make the students more engaged. Gerstein further explained about Education 3.0, that it is affording us with relevant, interactive, and networked content that is freely and readily available and personalized (based on individual interests). It is very similar to Web 3.0, wherein it provides users with richer experiences — it tailors the internet browsing experience to each individual.

With Web 3.0, educational institutions will be able to tailor the learning experiences in a more personalized manner for the students. Learning may be more individualized, and more advance tools will be used to teaching and learning, beyond just researching on the internet. In Education 3.0, Gerstein furthered that learners will be more engaged as connectors, creators, and constructivists. Learning will be more like a “web of networks,” with learners as content producers and sharers, using social networks for connecting, and using the web as curricula.

With the shift to Web 3.0, however, even though it is ideal for more advanced learning, there will most likely be students and teachers, including educational institutions, that will be lagging. This is in terms of internet connectivity and software availability — definitely, the cost of these can be a hindrance for some or even most of the stakeholders, especially students.

Conclusion

The development of the web and education can be said to be intertwined. As the internet develops, so does education — the educational sector uses web-based tools nowadays in this modern era. Desktops, laptops, and even tablets sometimes are generally essential for the students and teachers. I cannot imagine teachers nowadays who do not need computers  for their instruction or students who do not use computers. However, the rapid development of the internet may not catch up in terms of education with all in the education sector. Thus, governments must aid the development of both the internet vis-a-vis the educational sector, in order that no one will be left behind in terms of learning.