A review of current and developing international practice in the use of social networking (Web 2.0) in higher education

This report was commissioned by the Committee of Inquiry into the Changing Learner Experience to review the current and developing use of Web 2.0 technologies in higher education from an international perspective. The terms of reference for the study were to produce a report that: "reviews current and developing practice in the use of Web 2.0 in higher education internationally and provides an assessment of the relative position in the UK and the likely attendant consequences. The review should cover four countries, including the USA and Australia The review should look at the following: • The areas in which Web 2.0 is being used, including academic and administrative support; • The drivers to use of Web 2.0 in these areas; • The issues encountered and the responses made; • The perceived advantages and disadvantages of Web 2.0 use; and • Prospective developments in Web 2.0 use." The report is based on five specially commissioned reports from Australia, the Netherlands, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. These were chosen to provide some of the leading countries in the use of Web 2.0 technologies in education together with one country where English is not the first language and one where infrastructure provision remains a critical issue. The section of the documents provides the picture in the UK.