Using various Web 2.0 tools such as Blackboard, Twitter, blogs and online media, students in the Web101 Internet Communications Bachelor Unit discussed of a variety of topics over the course of thirteen weeks. These topics ranged from the advent of the Internet to today's shift toward Web 2.0 connective experiences. This reflection will cover a selection of some of the best known Web 2.0 platforms and tools covered in the unit, how they improve collaboration and communication, and some of the ways this could potentially impact the user daily. Originally implemented in the 1960s to share information by NASA, the Internet is a network of computers linked by other computers. The development of Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) by Tim Berners-Lee gave users a common playing field in which to collaborate. Because computers and operating systems come in all shapes and sizes, run different operating systems, and use different browsers, a common language, known as Hypertext Markup Language, has been developed (Doug Englebart Institute, 2008). This language tells the browser what to display and how to display it, and is the underlying principle of the World Wide Web. Web 2.0 is the term given to the shift from a primarily read-only web to the interactive, user-generated content we know today. The development of web-based applications such as "Blogger" and other similar publishing tools, and the advent of high-speed connections, make it easy for the average user to upload, create, and publish content. Subsequently, networks and communities form around asynchronous conversations and people connect while reading and sharing (Rettburg, 2008). Conversations take place when...... middle of paper ...... M. (2010). The official “Wikis” activity feed. [Discussion Forum Topic] Retrieved August 2010 from http://lms.curtin.edu.auStark, E., Gauci, C., Star, M., Zajer, M., Fallows, P., Richardson, Y ., Cook, L., & Mewburn, M., Watson, DS., (2010). Official thread: Qian and Scott, “Anonymity and Personal Disclosure in Blogs.” [Discussion forum theme]. Retrieved August 2010 from http://lms.curtin.edu.autravelinlibrarian (2006). Wikipedia: London bombings. [YouTube Video] Retrieved August 20, 2010 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8O-hv3w-MU.Wright, J. (2010, July 31). Topic 3.0 – Official Reading Thread: DiMarco and Millen, “Identity Management.” Message published at http://lms.curtin.edu.auZajer, M. (July 31, 2010). Topic 3.0 – Official Reading Thread: DiMarco and Millen, “Identity Management.” Post published on http://lms.curtin.edu.au