Wikis and Blogs and Feeds, oh my!
What is Web 2.0?
Good question. In a nutshell, the term "Web 2.0" represents a shift in web publishing from traditional, top-down formats to more collaborative and inclusive publishing. When the web first started out, if one wanted to start a website, they would have to either train themselves in HTML programming, or hire someone who already had. This meant that there really wasn't that much of an improvement on print publishing, since those with resources could put forth their ideas, whilst those without could not.
Web 2.0, then, is a huge step forward. Blogs, wikis and social networking sites take care of the nuts-and-bolts of programming, so all that's left to build a site is to input the content. Now, for the first time, anyone who has something to say and access to a computer can talk to the world. This may be the biggest shift in the way information is distributed since Gutenberg invented the printing press.
Wikis
What are wikis?
Well, you're looking at one. Wiki is the Hawaiian word for "quick", and they're meant to be just that: A quick way to put together and maintain a website. You don't need to know how to write code, you just need to have something to say. Wikis make it easy to make hotlinks, share files, and collaborate.
The most famous one is Wikipedia, of course. Wikipedia has both good points and bad points. On one hand, it's an excellent place to start research, because it has a vast amount of information on a wide variety of subjects. On the other, it can be somewhat unreliable, since it changes from moment to moment (this map does a good job of highlighting the speed of change on the site), and doesn't require verification of expertise before one edits the site. Instead, Wikipedia relies entirely on "The Wisdom of Crowds" to ensure authenticity, which actually works better than one might think. However, for those concerned about the reliability of Wikipedia, there is hope on the horizon. Wikipedia is building a sister site called Veropedia, which will hold a verified and authenticated versions of Wikipedia articles. In a nutshell, Wikipedia will hire experts to verify Wikipedia articles, and then place a lock on them, in order to avoid problems with tampering. The result is an encyclopedia that's not quite as large or flexible as Wikipedia, but much more reliable. It's only got about 4000 articles right now, but it will get much bigger in time.
If you'd like to read a more in depth analysis, feel free to read this paper Mike Friesen wrote for a course he took with the University of Alberta. Or, if you'd like something to show your class about Wikipedia, feel free to use this powerpoint presentation.
Why should I care about wikis?
Well, because they're so handy, that's why. Many school libraries already use them, because they're much easier to edit and maintain than traditional websites. This means that it's much easier to put together links pages for class projects, show off new resources, or to promote your libraries services. Want examples? Here's a couple:
Shaftesbury High School's Library site
Fort Richmond Collegiate's Library site
SCHLIB Wiki
MYRCA Wiki
How do I build a wiki?
Well, I recommend PB Wiki, because it's free and easy to use. They have a lot of helpful hints and style guides to walk you through the wiiki-building process. There are others out there if you prefer, however.
Blogs
What are Blogs?
Half diary and half journalism, blogs are the culmination of Web 2.0. Blogs are what happen when anyone and everyone can publish equally. The truth is that, since blogs let you write about whatever strikes your fancy, there are no real "rules" to blogging. Consequently, there are some really great blogs, and some really bad ones.
First, some examples...
What can blogs do for me?
I could recount the many uses, but I would end up repeating the many good ideas found on the Pembina Trails School Division's Technology Program Department page on the Educational Uses of Blogs, so I'll just direct you there. Look it over, and see what works for you. It all comes down to this: Blogs are a new way for you to communicate, whether with students, teachers, or the public at large. And, being educators, communication is our business.
Feeds
What are RSS Feeds?
Content that updates on a regular basis will often syndicate the information on their sites through something called "Feeds" Basically, it's an easier way to surf sites that you would otherwise have to check on a regular basis, because instead of the user going out to actively find information, the information gets sent to the user after each update. This is really handy for teachers and librarians who are on the lookout for new resources, information, and ideas, but don't have the time to keep checking the same sites over and over again.
This powerpoint presentation serves as an introduction.
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