Typology of Free Web-based Learning Technologies

Abstract

The Typology of Free Web-based Learning Technologies (2020) provides educators with a list of 226 technologies arranged into 40 types and 15 clusters that can be used via a browser to promote more productive and interactive learning. The 2020 Typology constitutes an update to the previously published Typology of Web 2.0 Learning Technologies (Bower, 2015), which was also based on a systematic search and categorical analysis (see Bower, 2016, for methodology). This 2020 Typology of Free Web-based Learning Technologies returns to the original analysis to remove tools that are no longer available and add new tools and categories that have entered the online learning ecosystem. Based on these emerging tools, new categorical types and clusters have also been added. Brief descriptions, example tools and pedagogical uses were provided for each category, in order to support ease of conceptualization and application. The analysis makes it possible to gauge trends in online learning technologies over the last five years, for instance the unsustainability of many smaller tools, the marketisation of many others, the trend towards more integrated platforms of tools, and greater dominance by larger providers. The paper concludes by inferring future trends in the online learning technology landscape.