Reflection of Reader 1

Professional Communications Technologies

'Technologies in the Workplace has changed the nature and ways we work'

Web 2.0 - Second Generation web based communities, social networking, Wikis, promoting sharing between users. Network as a Platform - information not stored on one computer, can be accessed from any device anywhere. Without realising Web 2.0 has made my life easier, making sharing and access available to me 'anytime, anyplace, anywhere', even if I don't have my computer with me.

Tim O'Reilly - often referred to as the originator of what defines Web 2.0, identifies a number of core competencies involved in Web2.0.

Architectures of Participation

'If we don't have the instruments to participate (time, money, skills, infrastructure) then we are unable or unwilling to participate'.

Certainly true of social networking and Web 2.0. People, like my dad, who don't like it or don't use it, tend to be the people who don't fully understand the concept. I agree with Hamilton, who notes that participation is a function of the reduction of barriers to access and that an increase in participation can contribute to the successful building of relationships and the democratisation of media.

How do we reduce these boundaries, so that more people are able to access/want to access and get involved in collaborating, sharing and interacting using Web 2.0. Proving to people that although widely used for leisure and communication, we need to break down the stigma of some social networking to allow it to be used in business/schools.

I currently use facebook in school to communicate with my Rock Challenge team. Improving team spirit, communication of ideas and important information sharing. Having successfully piloted a Facebook group last year, we have now produced a Facebook policy to present to the Principle and team members to establish how and why we use the Facebook group. Although we experienced no negative aspects last year, there is still a feeling with some members of the school that it is not appropriate to use Facebook in this way. My feeling is that as long as the administrator of the group has the knowledge necessary, social networking could be used safely more and more in schools to enhance the students experiences and help teacher and student communication. Unfortunately due to lack of knowledge and bad press in the media I feel this is a long way in the future.

As Ullrich states, we have been able to decide on how our page works, who can access it and we are in complete control of the production and access.

Remixable Data and Transformations

Valtysson suggests that people who make media and those who consume it encourages people to engage and participate in the media.

The use of Twitter in this way has revolutionised the relationship between artist and follower. The ability to follow celebrities and artists of choice has allowed both the artist and public to share ideas and give feedback where necessary. Although I am sure that the artist don't always receive the feedback they would like, Twitter has made it possible for them to pose questions to their fans, interacting and communicating ideas. Making the public feel involved in their chosen artists and the artists able to use feedback given to help promote and make decisions on their products. Artists can also communicate their personal thoughts when appearing on shows, helping the public to feel even more involved in the programmes they are watching.

Harnessing Collective Intelligence

Building and developing communities.

Its success can be measured, as Gruber states by the 500 million facebook members sharing, making Web 2.0 a useful tool for social interacting and sharing. Self service problem solving, search engines allowing us to pose questions that can be answered by reading public forums.

We have all used these services. Finding others opinions on problems and questions we may have, research at out fingertips. In my house the phrase 'i'll google it' is used on a regular basis. clarification through answers in forums, researching and even putting an end to arguments when facts are established through search engines.
Using Web 2.0 in class has also changed, for the better, the way we teach. especially with the popularity of smart phones that can be used for research. Answers and research available instantly and revolutionised how we set certain homework tasks, although we do have to be mindful of those that do not have access at home to Web 2.0. provision in school can be used via the Library and IT suites in breaks and after school.

At the forefront of all these things is the knowledge of the user - 'the proof is in the pudding', the success of Web 2.0 is proven when we consider the origins of Facebook as a USA college stystem to its current status of 400million users, actively signing on everyday. On average everyone has 130 friends and spends 500billion minutes per month on the site. But if the user abuses or doesn't have the knowledge to set up their accounts with privacy settings etc their exprience will not necessarily be as positive as others. it is the users responsibility to make sure they understand all the concepts of the particular Web 2.0 system being used.

In Summary - I didn't realise it before reading the reader but yes I do use Web 2.0 on a regular basis and it is fair to say that I couldn't and wouldn't want to be without it and will work hard to use it more and more in not just my personal life but also my professional life. Currently I use on a regular basis - Onenote, Dropbox, Twitter, Facebook, Blogging and the Schools VLE, having started on Myspace and Bebo. I can certainly say that in my years of teaching I have seen Web 2.0 evolve and now I don't know what we did without it.