The Implications of Web 2.0 on Distance Education

One important idea to understand about web 2.0 is the fact that it is "Not a technical revolution, it is a social revolution." One of the major difficulties in providing effective Distance Education (DE) is creating a true virtual cohesive community. This "Social revolution" allows its users to create highly personal spaces and even personal avatars that represent its author. The social networking communities out there have provided a community that has never really been achieved in the digital space before. By having true control over one's own space and one's own information combined with the distance provided by digital means opens many doors for people not able to truly participate in standard educational environments.