#19 Discovering Web 2.0 tools

Throughout the course of this Evanston Library Learns program we’ve explored just a small sampling of these new internet technologies and websites that are empowering users with the ability to create and share content.  Given the time, there are so many more we could explore!

Estimates place the number of web 2.0 tools at somewhere between 300 & 500 with only a handful emerging as market dominators. Although time will only tell which of these new collaborative, social networking and information tools will remain on top, one thing is for sure: they’re not going to go away. This is a huge part of the future of the Internet and we need to be aware!

For this discovery exercise, participants are asked to select any site from this list of Web 2.0 Awards nominees and explore it. With so many to choose from, it might be handy to first select a category that interests you (like Books or Personal Organization) and then simply select a tool/site to explore. Be careful to select a tool that is Free and that doesn’t require a plug-in or download. The majority of these free, so this shouldn’t be a problem.

Discovery Exercise:

1. Select any site/tool from the list of Web 2.0 Awards nominees. (If you prefer to select from just the winners, here’s a link to the short list.)
2. Explore the site you selected.
3. Create a post about your discovery. What did you like or dislike about the tool? What were the site’s useful features? Could you see any applications for its use in a library setting?

Web 2.0 – with so much to explore, just start with ONE.