Produsing Produsage

I have greatly enjoyed working on this week’s Produsage #1. At first it was pretty overwhelming to think of a “web based” project. Web 2.0 technologies and innovations has made these types of projects easy to do and made the web more accessible to novices like me.
It reminds me of when DIY gained popularity beginning with This Old House and then expanding to 3 television networks. When I remodeled my house I didn’t even consider hiring a contractor. I had spent so much time watching DIY for entertainment I was genuinely excited to actually do projects. Our projects included installing hardwood floors, dry-walling and plastering walls and a new deck.
Web 2.0 has empowered me to create on the web! The produsage project uses Wiki Spaces to create a central location for information regarding courses in the Instructional Systems program. It allows visitors to add experiential knowledge as well as tacit knowledge about the courses they have taken in pursuit of their degrees. Follow this link to check it out: http://www.fsuiscourses.wikispaces.com/
The idea came from thinking about the information that was most difficult for me to find as a new master’s student. I chose to collate all of it myself and put together a course of study. As I meet new people in my courses I learn about different courses and majors that are interesting. Now, we have a place to share not only the basic information about the course but also comments, reviews and opinions.
Since it is now posted and open to all to participate, I must relinquish my control. As I see changes made I need to adapt a supportive, accepting attitude which is not typical when you present your work to a group. In most courses we are encouraged to give feedback, but actually changing the project seems invasive at first. Another new aspect of Web 2.0.