Who was this website created for?
This website can be used by anyone, really. When creating it, we had teachers, students, and parents in mind. Particularly, members of those groups who are intimidated by web 2.0 but are interested in learning more about how to use these amazing tools.
What is web 2.0?
Generally speaking, it is any web-based tool that creates an arena for Internet users to become producers of content and data and become members of self-educating communities; “people sharing, trading, and collaborating.” Because web 2.0 tools are completely online, this denotes a movement away from traditional software that would need to be downloaded and installed; rather, the tools can be accessed through any internet browser. Also, there is a fundamental shift in the idea of data and data storage. Data is now created by the internet users, rather than just consumed. More and more, data is being stored online - "in the cloud" - rather than being housed on specific hard drives.According to Tim O'Reilly, who is credited with coining the term "web 2.0" there are at least seven major features of web 2.0:
- the web is used as a platform in itself - focus on providing services that are cheap/free
- web 2.0 apps are able to make use of collective intelligence (sometimes referred to as "hive mind")
- a reliance on user produced data
- the absence of software that needs to be installed on the user's computer
- using web 2.0 tools allows for power greater than a single computer (many users on many computers have more capability than one user on one computer)
- customer self-service
- user-friendly interfaces
How much will this cost me?
In most cases, nothing! Most web 2.0 features are free to use and open to anyone with an internet connection. There might be some sights that will ask you to pay to access advanced features, but most of these tools offer the basic versions for free.
Will I have to install or buy a program?
No! One of the features of web 2.0 tools is that they are completely online. If you have an internet connection and a capable web-browser (we suggest Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, or Safari if you are Mac user), you should be set!
Are web 2.0 tools different than the internet?
No. You use an internet connection and a browser to reach and use these tools. Think of it this way (even if it is cliched, it works): The internet is the highway that you use to reach various destinations. Some of the destinations are like toy stores - you choose from stuffed animals that have already been made. Other destinations are like stuffed animal workshops - you can go in and create for yourself. Even though web 2.0 websites seem different, they are just destinations that you can reach using the internet.
Why should I bother familiarizing myself with web 2.0 tools?
There are as many answers to this questions as there are web 2.0 users. Let's take a look, though at a few possible examples.
- Our world is getting smaller by the day with each advance in technology and, unlike 40, 30, or even 20 years ago, it is not uncommon for an American businessman to be in constant contact with a partner in China, for instance. While it is not cost effective for these two to get together on a regular basis, daily collaboration is still a possibility through web 2.0 tools.
- Let's say you are a small business owner. Quite often, before checking out a business in person, customers will check for information about the business such as reviews, hours of operations, and friends that have used the business before. Having a well-establish web presence -including effective use of web 2.0 tools - can set you apart from the competition.
- Educators can use web 2.0 for a myriad of reasons including collaboration with colleagues near and far, allowing for students to respond to classroom material in ways never before possible, and the bring experiences into the classroom that would once have required a field trip.
Just as people often say that stepping foot outside your front door comes with a certain amount of risk, so it goes with the internet. Any time you get on-line you are assuming a certain amount of risk. It is possible, however, to manage that risk in a way that will keep you safe while enjoying the benefits of the web.
What do I do if I find a website I want to use, that isn't listed here, and I'm not sure how it works?
On most web 2.0 pages, there is a short description of the tool and how it is used. No two websites are the same, but you can generally find this information by looking for the "about" page or another page titled something along the lines "how to use...".
