I believe there is a different paradigm in the use of Wed 2.0 and Open Source. From my somewhat limited experience, there are excellent free programs that take the place of some expensive programs. However, the research and development is done by the consumer and not the company. I have noticed what I would call “buggy” software that makes me do several downloads or updates. I know there are exceptions, but at this time, I will personally use those pieces of software for the uses I need, but for my classroom, I wish to have software that is tested and comes with tech support.

Another thing I have noticed is many of the web 2.0 programs are sort of one-hit-wonders. They do one thing, perhaps really well, but they lack the depth of other programs. I love Google Earth and I use it a lot in my classroom, but the amount of learning that can be found is short lived. For example, in my third grade music class, I had trouble with a song that talked about Austria (kids always said Ostrich). Showed them Austria on Google Earth and suddenly we don’t have that problem anymore….But, the lesson also ends there. Compare that with a “Stationery Studio” where kids can write and edit and enhance…uses are endless.

So, in a rather long answer to your question, I will always rely on a company like FableVision to develop and rigorously test software for use in my classroom. I will continue to use free programs, like Skitch, for my personal use and enjoyment.