Web 2.0 - a whole new world and a whole new job!

The information presented in module 1 has certainly enlightened me as to what Web 2.0 is - or can be.  The main characteristics I noted are:

• Web 2.0 tools are designed to be interactive
• The content is intended to be shared
• The user/customer becomes part of the tool by becoming a contributor or architect
• More user-friendly interfaces

I especially enjoyed Charlene Li's podcast.  I agree that Social Media tools are "re-writing rules of business", and Christopher Barnatt says as much in his YouTube clip - they are "changing the way companies interact".  


Li also notes that there is an element of fear regarding Social Media and business - especially within government departments - and I can certainly relate to this caution in my own place of employment in a TAFE library.  Giving the customer the power to contribute and direct dialogue means giving up a certain amount of control.  I can understand that it's difficult to set the parameters when you're not sure of the direction you're heading.




I also found Kevin Kelly's observations fascinating on a personal level: being a newcomer to Social Media, I am keenly aware of the effect it has on my psyche - how does it define me or add to my sense of self worth?  How does NOT using social media define me?  


Kevin notes that we can only determine the worth of technology by engaging with it and using it.  I'm wondering whether, like the horizontal waterwheel, it just "won't feel right" to me on a personal level. In this early stage, I am overwhelmed by the plethora of information flying back and forth - and wonder how I am to immerse myself without allowing it to invade other parts of my life - my family, my career, my other interests - how does keeping track of my Facebook and Twitter accounts while ensuring I have bookmarked important "stuff" on Delicious not become a full-time occupation?  I guess that's the Fear Factor in a personal setting.








Barnatt, C. (2008). Explaining Web 2.0. Explaining Computers March 2008. Retrieved July 17, 2011 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BAXvFdMBWw&feature=related


De Rosa, C., Cantrell, J., Havens, A., Hawk, J. & Jenkins, L. (2007). Sharing privacy and trust in our networked world: A report to the OCLC membership. Dublin, Ohio: OCLC. Retrieved July 17, 2010 from http://www.oclc.org/reports/pdfs/sharing.pdf


Kelly, K. (2009). Ethnic Technology. The Technium, March 2009. Retrieved July 17, 2011 from http://www.kk.org/thetechnium/archives/2009/03/ethnic_technolo.php


Kelly, K. (2009). Penny thoughts on the Technium. The Technium, December 2009. Retrieved July 17, 2011 from http://www.kk.org/thetechnium/archives/2009/12/penny_thoughts_2.php


Li, C. (2009). The impact of Social Media in your organisation. Nodalities Blog: From semantic web to web of data, November 2009. Retrieved July 18, 2011 from http://blogs.talis.com/nodalities/2009/11/charlene-li-the-impact-of-social-media-in-your-organisation.php

And so we begin.....

Social networking is…. much the same as joining an old fashioned club – members share a common ground: an interest, relationship or profession.  The major difference is that geographical boundaries are removed.  For example, your cousin in Wisconsin can share the same experiences as the rest of the group.
I see a downfall being the digital divide which effectively replaces the geographical divide.  Belonging to the group does require equipment – hardware, software and a reliable internet service, and a degree of know-how on the part of the member.  A person lacking these requirements can be isolated from the group.


I already use…. Facebook to contact friends and family.
And….Yammer at work every day to keep up with professional conversations, developments in education and to share interesting articles with my colleagues.
And.... YouTube to help my son with guitar lessons or to view clips shared by friends


I expect to learn…. about Social Media on a number of levels: to discover the scope of tools available, and how to use these tools.
I hope to learn how Social Media can be used to aid and inform clients (in my arena of education, and how social media can both promote library services and become part of actual library services.
Finally I am very interested in the ethical issues surrounding social media: privacy, copyright and intellectual property, fitting social media usage into the parameters set by parent organisations, and how to avoid the pitfalls.