Collectively known as ‘Web 2.0’, the new more informal and collaborative technologies of blogs, wikis, instant messaging and podcasting are making an impact on education and research. JISC has ‘reacted rapidly’ to the new environment to explore its enormous potential.

JISC tackles 'brave new world of Web 2.0'

 

Collectively known as ‘Web 2.0’, the new more informal and collaborative technologies of blogs, wikis, instant messaging and podcasting are making an impact on education and research while JISC has ‘reacted rapidly’ to the new environment to explore its enormous potential, according to an article in this month’s Information World Review.

The feature, by journalist Tracey Caldwell, looks at two main areas of JISC’s activities – the recently-published  report on Web 2.0 by the JISC-funded TechWatch service and JI‘Web 2.0 has thrown up exciting developments. There is more participation online than ever before. But there are issues around who owns what and issues of protecting ideas.'SC’s new Users and Innovation programme. ‘Web 2.0 development tends to be both informal and individualistic,’ says the author. ‘For example, a researcher might set up a wiki on one aspect of their research, while a lecturer might make their lectures available by podcast. This is in stark contrast to the institutional information systems development of the past.’ 

The Users and Innovation programme has set up a ‘Community of Practice’ made up of 150 practitioners from more than 50 institutions who will use collaborative tools to share their thinking on how the latest technologies can enrich the experience of learners.

The article quotes Users and Innovation programme manager Lawrie Phipps: ‘Web 2.0 has thrown up exciting developments. There is more participation online than ever before. But there are issues around who owns what and issues of protecting ideas. 

‘Web 2.0 make it easy for students to cut and paste, which raises issues of intellectual property rights and copyright. We are taking a positive stance on this because as well as the issues, there are fantastic opportunities for collaboration. Intellectual property rights is an issue and we need to think about it. We will have some guidance coming out.’

To read the full article, please go to: Information World Review

To look at other examples of recent JISC press coverage, please go to: Press coverage