Tiny lil light bulb went off!

As I was reading through the discussion boards and debating about Web2.0 tools; are they informative or instructional? I realized how much I absolutely love TED talks!! I spend way too much time on TED.com and am constantly sharing something I watched on it with my inner circle.  This has got to be an example of how Web2.0 tools can be both informative and instructional.

Let's consider for a moment the definition of the term instructional:

Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines it as 2."the action, practice, or profession of teaching".  http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/instruction

Based on this broad definition, I would make the argument that TED talks and therefore also Web2.0 tools can be both informative and instructional.  Ted talks can teach something in a very brief 20 minute lecture.

Let's consider other Web2.0 platforms such as Facebook.  Fb tends to be more of a 'social' network platform.  How many people would describe Fb as an instructional medium? I will! Just to make a point! Consider this:

This is one example of how Web2.0 can be a source for (in this example) informal learning. Some of my friends and I are big on all-natural diets and try by any means possible to share our knowledge about GMOs and the such with everyone.  Not a lot of adults will listen to you preach about nutrition, as most adults believe that they know what's best for themselves.  Posting links to existing research, articles, websites, and the such on Fb can prove to be a more passive way of disseminating information to others without being all in their face "here learn about this".  In the example shown above, one woman read the article and shared it with her husband, the other person clearly states "social media alone is making such a huge difference educating people".  What a great time to be alive!