Activity 1.2 Web-based applications
What is meant by web-based application?
Applications that is available on the web (internet).
They can be free or not, available for all or user restricted,
Examples include: Google spreadsheet, edublogs.org etc.
What is Web2.0?
Web 2.0 is a trend in the use of World Wide Web technology and web design that aims to facilitate creativity, information sharing, and, most notably, collaboration among users. With these advanced capacities, a second generation of web-based communities and hosted services, such as social-networking sites, wikis, blogs, and folksonomies, are evolving (Wikipedia).
What is its relevance to learning?
It meant that the definition of learning has been broadened, learning can be achieved in many new ways, learning can be a life-long, learning is between a shared knowledge and understanding.
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Read: Alexander, B. 2006, Web2.0: A new wave of Innovation and Teaching and Learning?, Educause, March/April, pp.33-44 http://connect.educause.edu/apps/er/erm06/erm0621.asp Re-read (from e-Learning Experiences): e-Learn 2.0 from Stephen Downes 2005 |
List web-based applications you are familiar with:ü Weblogsü Wikisü Chatq Podcastingq Web conferencingü RSS & aggregationü Social Networkingü e-Portfoliosü Virtual worldsq q List web-based applications you would like to explore further: q Podcastingq Vodcasting
q Data Mashups
Read: The FutureLab report , “ Social Software and Learning”, 2006.
The PDF file is available in UTSOnline in the Subject Documents tab, in the Technology Framework folder.
This report will provide you with some context and materials for your group projects.
In your work context:
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What experience have you had with e-Learning? Only in a classroom based activities (for education purposes not for work). By using applications such as blogs, wikis, social bookmarking and watching grassroot videos. Describe the methods of delivery you have experienced?Videos, projectors, blogs, e-mail, wikis, grassroot videos, How do these relate to the definitions and practices of e-Learning outlined in the earlier readings? |
RSS and Aggregation
RSS has been heralded by some as one of the most empowering developments in the web-based applications. Watch: CommonCraft “ RSS in Plain English” http://www.commoncraft.com/rss_plain_english What is RSS?RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is a family of Web feed formats used to publish frequently updated content including, but not limited to, blog entries, news headlines, and podcasts. An RSS document (which is called a “feed” or “web feed” or “channel”) contains either a summary of content from an associated web site or the full text. RSS makes it possible for people to keep up with web sites in an automated manner that can be piped into special programs or filtered displays (Wikipedia). How does it work?
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RSS content can be read using software called an “RSS reader”, “feed reader” or an “aggregator”. The user subscribes to a feed by entering the feed’s link into the reader or by clicking an RSS icon in a browser that initiates the subscription process. The reader checks the user’s subscribed feeds regularly for new content, downloading any updates that it finds (Wikipedia). |
How can RSS be used in this subject?
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RSS can be a useful tool in this subject to keep students in touch with new information that are being generated without needing to read too much of it or need a lot of space to store it. |
What is aggregation of information referring to?The combining of a lot of different information into one space. How does it work?
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It combines multiple web feeds into one particular space.
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How could aggregation be used in this subject?
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From the feeds that are collected, aggregation will keep them into one space so that it is easier for students to search and locate the information.
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Self-publishing
List self-publishing applications you are familiar with: ¨ Youtube ¨ Blogs¨ Wikis¨ ¨ Watch: CommonCraft “ Blogs in Plain English”http://www.commoncraft.com/blogs Watch: Commoncraft “ Wikis in Plain English” http://www.commoncraft.com/video-wikis-plain-english Consider your use of self-publishing in e-Learning Experiences.What impact did this have on your learning?
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Learning became more about what I’ve learnt and understands than what I could learn or understand. It become more ‘me’ centered and it became more important because I don’t want to publish the “wrong” thing. |
Social Sharing
Can you identify examples where you have used social sharing in a learning context?(Tip: You used it in e-Learning Experiences!) ¨ Social bookmarking (del.icio.us) ¨ ¨ Watch: CommonCraft “ Social Bookmarking in Plain English”http://www.commoncraft.com/bookmarking-plain-english Watch: CommonCraft “ Online Photosharing in Plain English”http://www.commoncraft.com/show What impact can this have on your learning?
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Learning became less daunting and easier, because it helps with finding information. Having social orientations helps with assuring that what you understand is understood by others too and they can help to make your understanding better, more polished. |
