Web 2.0 Gets Real

So, today I was feeling a little down because our Web 2.0 adventure had ended. I was also a little relieved to have a trickle of information to manage versus the fire hose. But, then I was reminded that my adventure will continue.
NPR’s Science Friday discussed bees and their vanishing colonies. The show is about 24 minutes long, and around the 7 minute mark, they discuss different websites that are being used to track bee populations and raise awareness about colony collapse. These are great examples of produsages created in the real world.
One is The Great Sunflower Project where people around the nation are asked to sit by a flower for 30 minutes, record the bees they see and then upload it on the site. Another is a feral bee project where visitors use Google maps to pinpoint feral bee hives - mashup!
I found myself getting more excited than usual. Thanks to this course I had a better understanding of what goes into projects like these, the benefits and the limits. I also know more about the background and history of the Web 2.0 movement from Shirky and Bruns. The fact that these sites are working to protect the "hives" and prevent "collapse" was pretty ironic as well.
Now we have come to the end of our time together. While we will not be learning about Web 2.0 in a structured, formal learning setting, I am confident that we will continue to experience Web 2.0 all around us.

Produsage Pride

One of my favorite activities in this class was creating the produsage projects. When I first read the syllabus, I thought that the assignment had to have a typo because I had never heard the word before. I searched on Google to get a fuzzy understanding, but was still unsure at the beginning.
The actual creating of the produsage was challenging and actually fun. I had an idea, a goal in mind and I chose a “tool” or a Web 2.0 technology to accomplish the goal. As I worked, I got stuck a couple of times wanting to do something and not knowing how. It was a great accomplishment when I figured it out through the help sites, playing with options and asking classmates and friends for help.
My second produsage is a social network (I built a social network?!?) on Ning called Step-Up. This came from a committee that we started at my school last school year. We wanted to focus on sustainability and encourage our school community to be more environmentally aware and make sustainable choices. We had great ideas for events and projects, but our time and energy was limited. We didn’t have an easy way to get other people involved and disseminate information.
The goal of this network is to do just that: get people involved and informed. The projects will give ideas for sustainable change and provide a community of support. We are preparing for an Eco Expo in the spring. Students and families will share the results of the various projects and celebrate success.
My next step is to make a plan with the existing committee members on how we can use this network. Will we start with families or will we introduce it in our classrooms? Will we invite key people that will then help market the site? How else will we manage the network to increase participation and effectiveness?
Please check out Step-Up. It will be open until school starts then go private when the students begin using it.

Reflecting on my learning

Before evaluating my learning in this course, I reviewed by course goals which were conveniently posted on my blog (see below). I wanted to learn how to manage the deluge of information, experience Web 2.0 technologies and authentically apply them, learn “jargon” and complete projects that would transfer to other settings.
I think that my greatest challenge still remains being able to quickly parse all the information in the Web 2.0 world. Being able to read and respond to discussion boards, blogs, wikis and produsages as well as seek out other resources was overwhelming. The amount of information available is infinite and I found my time being sucked away with every mouse click.
I have a different attitude about trying something new, especially in technology. I will keep an open mind and look for valid applications. I will explore on my own and feel comfortable asking questions when I need more support.
Integrating Web 2.0 in my personal and professional life is the next step. While I was able to produse successful projects, I have not yet learned enough about the specific Web 2.0 technologies to teach others, but now I know how. Since completing this course I am more aware of the emotions a learner may experience. At times, I was frustrated, overwhelmed and had a lot of doubt about these new fangled technologies. I think this will make me an understanding and supportive instructional designer because I will be able to empathize with my learners.
I am now tuned into Web 2.0 in the headlines and around me. I am not only looking for new resources and new technologies, I am also looking for ways to use the tools I have experienced.