International Journal of Computer Applications (0975 – 8887) Volume 64– No.4, February 2013 7 Virtual Learner 2.0: A Technique to Evaluate the Importance of Web 2.0 based e-Learning Application Kanwal Yousaf Department of Software Engineering University of Engineering and Technology, Taxila Muhammad Nadeem Majeed Assistant Professor of Software Engineering University of Engineering and Technology, Taxila Adeel Akram, PhD. Dean Faculty of Telecommunication & Information Engineering University of Engineering and Technology, Taxila ABSTRACT Indeed e-learning provides gateway to better educational system for learners. In order to enhance socialization and sharing of knowledge among existing e-learning applications, Web 2.0 based tools can be integrated and utilized in these applications. This research paper is also related to evaluate the significance and compatibility of Web 2.0 tools in education. For this purpose a methodology is proposed and a prototype system is developed. The proposed system is named as Virtual Learner 2.0. Virtual Learner 2.0 is a Web 2.0 based e-learning application and socializes around learners. It is a combination of different Web 2.0 tools. Whenever applications have been developed by using Web 2.0 based approaches, especially by using tagging, video podcasting and discussion forum, always grasp attention of diversified community. Similarly, Virtual Learner 2.0 allows its learners to find out the effectiveness of video podcasting and discussion forum in any educational web applications. Secondly, this application is a better source to observe the searching efficiency of tags and tags cloud for data contents. By evaluating this application it is proved that learners seek more progress in learning through Web 2.0 based tools instead of utilizing the traditional learning techniques. Most importantly Virtual Learner 2.0 facilitates the learners with solution of better, reliable and enhanced course management system (CMS). General Terms Web 2.0, e-learning, Virtual Learner 2.0, Video Podcasting, Tagging, Tags Cloud 1. INTRODUCTION Our life has deeply been penetrated into variety of technologies. The popularity graph of technology is elevating with the passage of time and no one can deny importance of technology. It means that technology has great impact on our every aspect of life. Learning process can be improved by adopting such tools and techniques as this process relies on acquiring knowledge, skills and understandings. These technologies help educators to improve their technical skills in most effective and efficient manner. E-Learning is an example of this combination of technology and education. Surprisingly e-learning has changed the traditional class room based education. E-learning introduces the concept of new environment named as virtual learning environment (VLE). Distant learning or virtual learning relates to make some significant changes in teaching. So that it can become beneficial for the distant educators or learners. Virtual learning has some most prominent advantages such as [1]: a) It provides an opportunity for students or learners to update their skills. b) It improves the level of educational system by providing quality education to learners through web. c) It is a source of balancing in-equalities between students from different background. d) It provides socialized platform through which learners can communicate and collaborate with other learners at any time [1]. As the matter of fact, Web 2.0 based e-learning allows its learners to publish and exchange information and skills through communication. The terminology e-learning 2.0 emerges as a new dimension for learning followed by variety of Web 2.0 based tools. In traditional learning, students have been assigned with a bounded role towards education by following the formal procedures of learning. In contrast, e-learning particularly Web 2.0 based e-learning emphases on social learning and make all the possible use of Web 2.0 tools [2]. It also provides an informal approach towards education. O’Reilly defined usage of Web 2.0 in the form of different tools. These tools are wikis, blogs, social networking, tags, discussion forums, RSS feeds and podcasting etc [3] also explained with the help of Figure 1. Fig 1: Web 2.0 based e-learning All these tools are the very useful to modify user interactivity with the system and application. The main ingredients for the popularity of web 2.0 based applications along with the use of blog, wiki pages and class discussion has become increasingly popular among different business companies and education institutes. The rest of the paper is distributed as follows. Section II explained about different researchers’ perception about Web 2.0 based e-learning applications instead of following traditional approaches of learning. The flaws in already existing course