Module+1+readings+and+thoughts


 * Introduction**

The intro points out one major difference between social communities of now as compared to previous - geographic location. They both aimed to share interests skills and common ground, but web 2.0 has removed the need for us to be located in close proximity to do this. The notes also acknowledge the speed and ease with which the digital medium has enabled us to becom connected, collaborative and sharing.

Pg2 provides succinct defintion; social networks = groups. social networking sites = websites used to allow interaction to occur e.g. facebook and myspace. social media sites = allow publication and sharing of info e.g. flickr, youtube. social software = collaborative software e.g. google docs social computing = using social software.

Defines users of web 2.0 as active as opposed to passive (previous generations). Outlines the benefits of Web 2.0 as; information sharing, interoperability, user centred design and collaboration. Provides examples of tools; social networking sites, blogs, wikis, video sharing, hosted services, web applications, mashups and folksonomies. 'Shake outs' = the rise of a new form of technology. Believed that dot.com crah resulted in the rise of web 2.0 (it's shake out). Credits Web 2.0 as being benefical because it allows: as opposed to previous Netscape which was expensive
 * Module 1**
 * 1. []**
 * 2. http: oreilly.com/web2/archive/what-is-web-20.html**
 * no licensing or sale - just use
 * customers run software on their own equipment

An interesting summary of web 2.0. It addressed the value of web 2.0 allowing new and improved connections and having 3 key features; Addressed the implications of web 2.0 as not just a means of teenage social networking but being beneficial for business links and increased access to data and software applications as well as reducing the costs related to the purchase and usage of software. Finally, it outlined that prior to web 2.0 we/business developed websites and hoped that our customers would stumble across it, now we go straight to the customer by accessing sites such as facebook, therefore increasing potential contact.
 * 3. []**
 * interpersonal computing ( i.e connecting people socially through the use of tools such as facebook, wikis, blogs, wikipedia which enable greater access, addition and creation of info).
 * web services (mash ups of data)
 * software as a service (functionality of the internet).

4. Erik Qualmans [] is full of interesting facts but the thing that really grabbed me in the video was the recognition of web 2.0 as not being a fad but a fundamental shift in thinking. Like the previous YouTube video it recognises the shift in advertising and sales, whereby companies come to the consumer, there is increased value as they are listening first and producing to sell second. The final thing that I liked was the recognition Web 2.0 being 'word of mouth' which is what I had experienced just by posting a question about Moodles, to which I received 3 really valuable replies.

5. Did you know? [] again throws you lots of facts to think about, many similar to Qualmans, but the interesting fact that came out of this video was the need to prepare children to become successful members of a global environment. Also the need to recognise that infomation learn't is so quickly outdated, hence the importance for teaching life long learning skills so that we can keep abreast of these changes.

6. Kevin Kelly 's [] ethnic technology looks at why some technology takes off in certain areas, yet fails in popularity and use in others. He looks at culture and ethnicity being a cause which has merit when talking about ancient technology, but i'm not so sure about modern. As the oclc report recognises that the Japanese tend to favour cell phone usage over pc, but they still are actively involved in social netwoking, they merely use a different tool. Why? perhaps Kelly is right in saying "our decisions about technology are not made by the group, but by individuals. We choose what we want to adopt, and what we don’t. So on top of the ethnic choice of technologies a community endorses, we must add the individual layer of preference", modern technology does give us loads of choice.

7. [] Kelly refers to the Technicum as anything useful that the mind makes e.g. gadgets, law. I like that he acknowledges the importance of a 'pro-active approach' or learning by doing in relation to technology. It is interesting to wonder will we choose to ignore techological devices or aspects? Are we able to interact, share and create sufficiently by choosing or having technological preferences?

8. [] A good article with a good definition "**social media are places, tools, services allowing individuals to express themselves (and so to exist) in order to meet, share…"** Fred recognises that there is such a great variety of social media tools as indicated in his diagram and each has its own job to fulfill a certain need. He also importantly recognises that the user has the ultimate control, e.g. we create the community not facebook and that tools are dependent on the user as we can change our preferences (similar to kelly taking about choice and technology). He offers sage advice '"try different media" don't just accept that one type is the best solution for meeting a need (like Kelly- is there only one way to catch a pig?)

9. [] Charlene recognises that the tools are rewritig business. Previously companies advertised, sold and conducted customer service. Now they have customers talking to and about the company using web tools, therefore good and bad issues relating to businesses can be mugnified and turned into world news. Companies need to change the nature of the relationship that they have with customers and stop thinking that it is the tools that are tricky. She states that governments are more accountable for their decisions, and teaching is more collaborative, learning is enhanced, chalk/talk is decreased and ideas are shared through web 2.0. She believes we have become a culture of sharers and the tools speed up collaboration, open discussion and decision making and speed up the amount of work produced e.g google docs. Her Tips: 1. Find out about the audience - who are they, where are they etc. 2. What is your strategy? for catering for your customer? 3. What are the implications of using these tools? The art of journalism is dying, especially if they define it in terms of papers because a new form of media and journalism is forming throught these tools. Social technologies will eventually become like oxygen, there all the time in the background and without them there would be a feeling of something missing.

10. [] The quote and summary on slide 73 sum up one of the major benefits of web 2.0 The winners are those who enable conversation".
 * "content is king
 * conversation = content (web 2.0)
 * therefore
 * conversation = king