[web 2.0 review]
introduction
web 2.0 applications are sweeping across the internet at an unbelieveable rate. these amazing tools are changing society at every level.
- some provide opportunities for people to find each other, relate to each other and meeting with each other in ways that while not new to human interactions, are mindboggling at times in the vast scope they are reaching.
- some of the tools are more focused on access to, recombinations of, and delivery of information.
- some are places to share and exchange content of all sorts.
learning professionals naturally are wondering which of these tools can be of service to learning situations. some of the applications are designed for instructional purposes. but the vast potential of the current web 2.0 offerings is for creative learning professionals to drive new ways of enhancing learning - both formal and informal. |
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each application i report on will have a page in this wiki where i try to do a objective summary of the application and then give it a rating from one "e" to five "e"s in three catagories - personal effectiveness, learning effectiveness, and coolness.
here is the key to the e's:
effectiveness ratings | | the e's | | coolness rating |
fagiddaboutit! | = | | = | only a bithead could enjoy this |
if ya really need to | = | | = | this is my dad's web |
it's ok, can't hurt | = | | = | it's cool if it's useful |
pretty groovy. it'll do the job. | = | | = | get your dark shades out |
if you're not using this one you're not 2.0 | = | | = | the ipod dancing shadows have nothing on you |
the rating catagories
since there is such a great interest in how (and if) these tools can be used effectively in learning settings, i'll be rating each twice on effectiveness.
personal effectiveness
first, my opinion on how effective the application is for personal use. this will reflect how effective the intent of the tool is for everyday use. does it make life better,easier, or clearer. does it add something that wasn't there before. if it's intended as a social network tool, will your network be bigger or stronger by using the application.
learning effectiveness
second, how effective it might be for use in a learning setting. does the application offer something that will make learning easier or more efficient? does it help the average facilitator or instructor do their job better, faster? is it a tool that could help stimulate, focus or direct informal learning to enhance organizational learning?
coolness
there are some web 2.0 applications which are just simply cool. some are also effective and serve a purpose. some are just cool. like blow your mind away cool. so i'm also including a coolness rating as well.
coming attractions
obviously there's more to review and more to talk about with web 2.0 applications. it hope to add 2 to 3 new applications to the list of reviewed applications each week. plus there are some features i'll add to the overall process. what's up next? here's what i have in mind:
next to be reviewed:
- vyew
- skype
- zohocreator
new features:
- a mega, mega list of web 2.0 applications
- a collaboratively assembled list of competitors for each reviewed application done
competitor list
help me build out a list of competitors for each application i review. at the bottom of each application page are two forms. the first is an entry form in which you can enter information about an application which you feel is competitive to the application reviewed on that page. the second form is the list of competitors. please look to see if the application that you feel is a competitor is already on the list. if it is not listed, please fill out the first form. my intent is to only list each application once in the competitive list, so there's no need to enter it again if it already is listed.
disclosure
the content of these pages is not meant to be comprehensive of all available applications. nor are the ratings i apply by any means objective. there are other resources who are more comprehensive and relatively objective. but i don't know of anyone doing quite the listing like this that rates the learning environment efficacy of the applications.
oh, and don't be surprised if once reviewed, a review isn't necessarily up to date with the latest enhancements an application has posted to it's site. keeping track of what been published and what is dead is more work than a full time employee can do. so be leave me a note in the discussion area and be patient. i'll get to updating things when i can. maybe. ;-)
want your say?
don't agree with me? wanna have a vote? well, i started down the road to adding on review or rating capabilities to this wiki and for goodness sake, it ain't an easy proposition. but then came along the new version of ning and bingo bango, it hit me. do a review mashup! so if you want to voice your opinion, go over to ning where i've repeated my reviews and you can add yours so that we come up with an aggregate rating. click here to check out my ning powered mashup. the ning web 2.0 review application is now up and running!
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