Mike's Web2 Students

A series of lessons on Web 2.0

by Mike Smith
(source web page here) (Myspace version here)

Welcome to this series of lessons which explores the basics of the exciting new Internet sites and capabilities collectively called "Web 2.0".  This series is accompanied by a MS Power Point presentation which you should first download and open from here.  Please be aware that this file and this web page may be further developed over time.  The numbers in square brackets eg [11] refer to the Power Point Slide number.

The series of lessons are designed for ESL (English as a Second Language) students, but may also be useful for anyone wanting to learn more about the modern World Wide Web.

Introduction [1]

The Internet changed significantly in 2006. The changes were in the type of websites, how visitors interacted with them, and who generated the content.  These changes were acknowledged by Time Magazine [2] in having a very unusual Person of the Year on their cover. What new things on the World Wide Web did you notice in 2006? [2]

Your teacher will help you compare the old and new World Wide Webs. [3]

New Terminology for Web 2.0

The changes in the Internet has brought many new terms (words and expressions) to our language.

View this video:
Web 2 video 1  [1] [4] (ignore page numbers stated in the video)

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The mind map referred is downloadable here.  Use this diagram to explore some of the new terms in Web2.0.  I recommend you search for these words in an online dictionary such as: http://dictionary.reference.com/ 
You can also use Wikipedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_2.0

Talk to you partner about some of these new terms, and ask your teacher to help with any questions.

Tagging, Ranking and Sharing

One of the key things about Web 2.0 is the idea of tagging, ranking and sharing. Now that you have an idea of some of the basic Web 2.0 terms, your teacher will describe the ideas of:

• tagging and categorising [5] [6] [7]
• sharing and ranking [8]

Your teacher might give you a tagging task if there is time. [9]

Example Web 2.0 Sites

Here is the second video which asks you to look at an example website and answer some questions.
Web 2 Video 2 [10] (ignore page numbers stated in the video)

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The example sites include the following, but there are many, many more, and the number of sites is growing.  For this task, please choose just one and work with your partner to answer the questions.

eBay, craigslist, Wikipedia, del.icio.us, dodgeball, Adsense, Flickr, Google Docs, iTunes, MySpace, Yahoo, youtube, blogger , WAYN, and lastfm

Mid-Course Assignment (the first of two tasks)

During this course you will complete two tasks.  This first task gives you an opportunity to write a short report on what you have learned so far. 

• Choose one of the Web 2.0 sites
• What is its main purpose?
• Describe who the main visitors or clients might be.
• How does it make money or support itself financially.
• Write about 100 words
• Email it to your teacher 2 days before the next lesson.

An example of this task is the Powerpoint slide describing Flickr. (don't use this site for your task) [11]

Photo Sharing with FLICKR

One of the first Web 2.0 sites was a photo sharing site called Flickr which we'll now explore.  It is a good example of tagging, ranking and sharing.  If you want to actually do this, then you must register on the site.  You'll need a valid email address.

View this video:
Web 2 Video 3 [11] [12] (ignore page numbers stated in the video)

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Spend some time looking around Flickr, viewing some of the wonderful (and sometimes very weird) photos that people have posted.  Read the comments that other people have posted.  In particular observe the tags and tag clouds which people have allocated to the photos. 

What is the system of ranking in Flickr? (Hint: there are two)

Build Your Virtual Home in Web 2.0 Land (Myspace)

Let's play!  (This exercise requires you to set up an account with Myspace.  However there are many other sites that would work just as well eg. WAYN, Yahoo, ...)

View this video:
Web 2 Video 4 [13] [14] (ignore page numbers stated in the video)

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This is where you get to set up a personal space on Web 2.0 and play with all the goodies available, including:

• uploading photos and video
• blogging http://blog.myspace.com/web2mjcsmith
• finding and adding friends http://www.myspace.com/web2mjcsmith
• joining a group eg. ACE Myspace group http://groups.myspace.com/australiancollegeofenglish)
• personalising and decorating your new virtual home

You will need a valid email address to register.  For this lesson you will be asked to establish an account at MySpace (go here)

Don't worry if you are a little anxious about posting your personal details, email account and photos etc on the Internet.  You can always delete your MySpace account whenever you wish.  You can also set your privacy to protect your photos and videos.

This Myspace account will become your final assignment, so please tell your teacher if you plan to delete it.

Wikipedia - Knowledge for the Common People

Now we are going to look at one of the pioneers of Web 2.0 called Wikipedia.  This is an online encyclopedia with a very special difference from most others - you, or anyone, can add their knowledge to it.

View this video:
Web 2 Video 5 [15] (ignore page numbers stated in the video)

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You now have the opportunity to add a bit of your knowledge to this immense sharing of information.

Decide on something you know a lot about. For example:

Your home town / Brisbane / A suburb
A favourite band / Your teacher
A book you have read / Your coursebook
A movie you have seen / ACE Brisbane
Something you learned through study / ACE in general
A hobby / an evening / weekend trip / activity from Brisbane

Search for it in Wikipedia and make / add / edit an entry.  Don't worry if you make a mistake.  You can always edit again later.  Anyway if someone discovers it is wrong then it will quickly be corrected.

An example is shown in your Power Point Presentation. [16]

Your teacher may give you some extra tasks if there is time. [17]

Final Assignment (the second of two tasks)

View this video:
Web 2 Video 99

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You have two options for your final assignments:

• Either develop a full Myspace (or similar) account, or
• Write an essay.

Check your Power Point Presentation for details and ask your teacher for guidance. [18]

Good luck with your assigments.