Implications of Web 2.0 computing for education in South Africa

Abstract

Interactive education plays an important role in generating a more stimulating teaching and learning environment. Bright colours are captivating regardless of whether they are considered in print or digital format, and if they have been appropriately adopted and focus on the interests of people in education, entertainment and work. Sadly, a greater proportion of Generation Z learners are still stuck in traditional classrooms. Even worse, South Africa still hosts classrooms under trees, which has been the legacy of the 1970s. Children have evolved along with the evolution of technology, and Generation Z is the most unsettling generation in modern history. These children (born from the mid to late 1990s to the present) are naturally technologically minded. Instead of waiting for philosophies to be passed down from their predecessors, they create new ideas which surpass the foundation of yesteryear. The predecessors of Generation Z must provide the thrust for this evolution. It is imperative that new technological advancements are employed to provide an interactive virtual arena for these children. The education scenario must become an adventure. This article is a literature review which explores how and why cartoons can be used in conjunction with Web 2.0 technology to generate new adventures in teaching and learning. The choice of using cartoons is based on the observation that traditional children as well as Generation Z children have always had a fascination with these characters. Further, since Generation Z are tastemakers, it should make sense to pamper their taste buds!