Web 2.0 is a concept rather than a technology. It is a term used to describe interaction using web/internet technologies. The distinction here highlights the movement from what the internet looked like at the beginning – mostly static content – to its current capabilities of enabling interaction and collaboration using web tools. This new phase of the web allows users to shape content, respond to content, and engage with individuals who are also using these tools (Haughn, 2015).

The internet’s initial phase has now been retrospectively referred to as Web 1.0. This terminology highlights the distinction between the period where web pages were set content and needed a skill set and knowledge of File Transfer Protocols in order to establish a web presence. The Web 2.0 phase requires far less technical knowledge because the tools available provide the platform upon which users can build their content.

The term Web 2.0 first made its appearance in 1999 when used by Darcy Dinucci (Pope, 2010). Dinucci described the transition in his article, Fragmented Future (Dinucci, 1999):

The Web we know now, which loads into a browser window in essentially static screenfuls, is only an embryo of the Web to come. The first glimmerings of Web 2.0 are beginning to appear, and we are just starting to see how that embryo might develop. The Web will be understood not as screenfuls of text and graphics but as a transport mechanism, the ether through which interactivity happens. It will […] appear on your computer screen, […] on your TV set […] your car dashboard […] your cell phone […] hand-held game machines […] maybe even your microwave oven.

This explanation helps to highlight the possibilities afforded users in a stage of the internet where they can produce content easily, engage with other users using a myriad of platforms and build a worldwide network of connections.

According to eBizMBA, a website designed to support eBusiness growth, in March 2016 the top 5 most popular Web 2.0 websites, based on unique monthly visits are:

1. YouTube with an estimated 1 billion
2. Wikipedia with 475 million
3. Twitter with 310 million
4. Pinterest with 250 million
5. WordPress with 240 million

Other platforms that rate a mention in their top 15 include Craigslist, tumblr, IMDb, Yelp, Instagram, imgur, Wikia, Flickr, eHow and Photobucket. This shows the vast numbers of people engaged with using Web 2.0 platforms to engage with social and professional networks, create and share media, write and self publish, play games and learn new skills… amongst a vast array of other reasons to create a profile and get involved.

References:

Dinucci, D. (1999) Fragmented future. [online] Available at http://darcyd.com/fragmented_future.pdf Accessed 19 March 2016

eBizMBA.com (2016) Top 15 most popular Web 2.0 websites, March 2016. [online] Available at http://www.ebizmba.com/articles/web-2.0-websites Accessed 19 March 2016

Haughn, M. (2015) Web 2.0. [online] Available at http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/Web-20-or-Web-2 Accessed 19 March 2016

Pope, C. (2010) Web 2.0 explained in 60 seconds. [online] Available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcbaLH0D5HU. Accessed 19 March 2016

First task for INF506… definitions, experience and expectation of purpose…

An online social network service is

• a digital platform where people can create an account
• establish a profile
• “friend” other people to create a community
• participate in conversations and sharing to build relationships and learn
• build a reputation within that online space
• extend involvement by connecting with others to collaborate across a range of groups

There are a vast array of social networking sites and means of connecting with people online, and deciding which groups to join and participate in is a question of time spent… it’s easy to spend too much! When online social networking began it seemed like it was the solution to our society’s need to connect… it is difficult now to remember what it was like before twitter, facebook, reddit, YouTube etc.

I’ve been dabbling in social networking for many years now… I joined twitter in May, 2009 and Yammer in June, 2010… and have gradually developed a comfort zone with connecting and communicating across a range of platforms, and contributing in those platforms by sharing and building community.

I currently maintain accounts on both NSW DoE and TAFE yammers, twitter, edmodo, Instagram, Facebook, google+, TL Ning, Educator’s PLN Ning, Ozteachers google group, Weebly, WordPress, YouTube, delicious, Pinterest, Goodreads… hmm probably too many! I particularly enjoy connecting with followers of certain hashtags on twitter including #DLchat, #tlchat, #AussieEd and the #satchat collection.

Over the years I have reflected on the importance of social networking and how it has built my PLN (Professional Learning Network) and realise it has afforded a range of amazing opportunities to learn from experienced and generous educators across a wide range of topics that have enhanced the learning of my students. I have been involved in a range of projects as a result. I have organised a number of PLN meetups at conferences in order to meet IRL (in real life) people that I have known for many years online and it is always fascinating to meet people for the first time when they have been online friends for years.

What I expect to learn from completing INF506…

My role as a Teacher Librarian includes supervision of a range of social networking profiles for my library and my school. This is a significant responsibility since it directly affects the reputation and brand of my school. I take this role very seriously and hope that INF506 will provide a deeper understanding of the policy structure and planning required to achieve best practice in social networking management for my school.