UU100: Communication & Information Literacy

TOPIC 11: NOTES WEB 2.0 TOOLS FOR EDUCATIONAL AND SOCIAL PURPOSES

UU100: Topic 11: Web 2.0 Tools for Educational and Social Purposes

TABLE OF CONTENT
1.0 2.0 What is Web 2.0 Web 2.0 content collaboration tools 2.1 2.2 Blogs Wikis

2.2.1 Wikipedia 2.3 Google Docs

3.0

Web 2.0 media sharing tools 3.1 3.2 YouTube Flickr

4.0

Web 2.0 social networking tools 4.1 Facebook

UU100: Topic 11: Web 2.0 Tools for Educational and Social Purposes

What is Web 2.0?

The World Wide Web has changed since it was introduced in 1991. During its first phase, which is now referred to as Web 1.0, web masters or programmers posted web content and users basically surfed the web and downloaded information. That is, the exchange of information was one way. However, since the introduction of Web 2.0 tools, everyone has a chance to create, collaborate, share, and publish content online.

For the purposes of this topic, the three types of Web 2.0 tools that will be explored are: i. ii. iii. Content collaboration tools; Media sharing tools; Social networking tools.

1.0

What are Web 2.0 Content Collaboration Tools?

Web 2.0 content collaboration tools include blogs, wikis, and Google Docs which encourage document construction and enable online collaboration. 2.1 Blogs

A blog (short for weblog) has become a popular way of expressing oneself on the web. It can be a personal diary, as well as personal, professional, or organisational commentary on topics, issues or events. Apart from writings in text format, blogs can include media such as photos and videos. Most blogs allow readers to post comments. The following are examples of different types of travel blogs: i. http://www.travel-rants.com/: authored by an individual about the problems that consumers face with travel. ii. http://inside-digital.blog.lonelyplanet.com/: authored by Lonely Planet, the largest travel guide book publisher. iii. .http://miamiherald.typepad.com/travels_with_jane/: authored by Miami Herald's executive business editor and former travel editor, and a genuine travel fanatic.

UU100: Topic 11: Web 2.0 Tools for Educational and Social Purposes

Blog search tools help users to locate blogs on the web. Technorati
http://technorati.com

Google Blog Search

http://blogsearch.google.com

You can create your own blog. There are various blog providers many with add-on services for a fee. You can start by signing up for an account with a completely free blog provider. Here are some to choose from: LiveJournal http://livejournal.com Blogger http://blogger.com WordPress http://wordpress.com

Blogs have a code of conduct which contributors must abide by. Failure to do so may result in the termination of ones blog account. The following examples of blog user code of conduct: http://www.blogger.com/content.g http://en.wordpress.com/tos/ (section 2) http://www.livejournal.com/legal/tos.bml (section XV)

UU100: Topic 11: Web 2.0 Tools for Educational and Social Purposes

2.2

Wikis

The term wiki is a shortened form of wiki-wiki, the Hawaiian word for quick. A wiki is a set of web pages that can be easily edited by users who are allowed access. Users can incorporate a wide variety of information formats such as text, photos, videos and links. 2.2.1 Wikipedia

The largest and most popular wiki on the web is Wikipedia, often referred to as the largest free online encyclopedia. Wikipedia was created in 2001. As of January 2010, Wikipedia claimed to have 78 million visitors with 91,000 contributors creating and editing 17,000,000 articles in 270 languages. Wikipedia articles are written by volunteers anonymously or under a pseudonym, or with their real identity, if they choose. That is, anyone with Internet access can write and make changes to Wikipedia articles. This, however, does not mean that Wikipedia cannot play a role in academic research. Wikipedia can be a good information resource to use first when you know nothing or very little about a topic. It may give keywords to use in searches, references for additional resources, and links to web sources. Wikipedia can be a useful place to begin, but it is not where one should finish academic research.

UU100: Topic 11: Web 2.0 Tools for Educational and Social Purposes

2.3

Google Docs

Google Docs is a free, web based word processor, spreadsheet, presentation, form, and data storage service offered by Google. It allows users to create and edit documents online while collaborating in real-time with other users. Users can create new documents from scratch or upload existing documents. Documents can also be published on the web for public viewing. All documents are stored safely online and can be accessed from any computer.

3.0

What are Web 2.0 Media Sharing Tools?

Web 2.0 media sharing tools encourage users to publish and share multimedia on the web. A well known photo sharing website is Flickr, http://www.flicker.com/ and a popular video sharing website is YouTube, http://www.youtube.com/. 3.1 YouTube

YouTube is a video sharing website on which users can upload, share, and view videos. YouTube was created in 2005 and as of May 2010, YouTube claimed to exceed 2 billion views a day. To search for videos, YouTube provides a search box for to type a keyword, subject, or video title. From the results page, users can click Search Options to view filters and narrow their results. Viewers can share a YouTube video with their friends via email, or social networks just by clicking the Share button underneath the video. Viewers can also respond to the video they have just watched by adding a comment beneath the player. Videos uploaded to YouTube are limited to 15 minutes in duration. Registered users can edit their videos right in YouTube. Users can combine their video clips, trim the length of their video, add music, and add transitions between video clips.
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UU100: Topic 11: Web 2.0 Tools for Educational and Social Purposes

3.2

Flickr

Flickr is a photo and video sharing website on which users can upload, share, and view photos and videos. Flickr was created in 2004 and as of September 2010, Flickr claimed to host more than 5 billion images. To search for videos, Flickr provides a search box. Registered free account users are allowed to upload 300 MB of images a month and 2 videos. Registered pro account users, at a certain cost, are allowed to upload an unlimited number of images and videos every month and receive unlimited bandwidth and storage.

4.0

What are Web 2.0 Social Networking Tools?

Web 2.0 social networking tools provide a venue for online socialization for communities of people who share interests or activities. Well known social networking websites include Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/ and Myspace, http://www.myspace.com/ 4.1 Facebook

UU100: Topic 11: Web 2.0 Tools for Educational and Social Purposes

Facebook the most popular social networking website was created in 2004. As of January 2011, Facebook claimed to have more than 600 million users. Facebook requires users to create a profile containing basic information such as name, address, date of birth, institute/organizational affiliations. Users search for potential friends and send requests to become friends. Friends are allowed to post comments or send private messages. Groups are used to help find people with similar interests or engage in discussions on certain topics. A group can be anything from "Johnson High Class of 2008 to "People Who Like Fast and Furious" to "Obama Fans". They are both a way to connect with like-minded people and a way to identify ones interests. Users can upload photos, videos and links. Despite its popularity, Facebook is confronted with issues such as violation of privacy rights, the potential for paedophiles to target vulnerable young people, stalking, cyber-bullying, excessive peer-pressure and fantasy lives.

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