The Principles of Web 2.0

On the surface, the design and function of different Web 2.0 applications do not seem to share many commonalities. Web 2.0 applications do, however, share a set of principles. Although the precise number of shared principles varies in the literature (O’Reilly 2005; JISC 2007), several are often cited.

User-generated content

All Web 2.0 applications allow users to contribute content. Because Web 2.0 applications harness the power of the crowd to generate content, the quantity of data within these applications increases dramatically the more they are visited. Editorial processes that exist in more traditional forms of media like newspapers and television are different (and sometime non-existent) in Web 2.0 applications.

Utilizing collective knowledge

Web 2.0 tools allow communities with a shared interest to collaborate on and contribute their ideas to produce information that utilizes a broader knowledge base than individuals working on the same tasks. An often sited example, Wikipedia is much larger than any published encyclopedia series because it is based on a broad spectrum of contributors. By showcasing content generated by a wide variety of users, applications like Wikipedia are able to deliver a broader variety of topics and appeal to a broader variety of users.

Driven by data

Compared to traditional web content, Web 2.0 applications are updated at a much greater rate and frequency, making the quantity and ease of access to data major reasons for the success of Web 2.0. Some argue, however, that the increased quantity of information available from Web 2.0 tools like blogs and wikis does not necessarily ensure higher quality information.

While some Web 2.0 applications make more data available through user generated content, other Web 2.0 applications like RSS feeds (see above) make searching for and obtaining relevant information in a data-rich environment more efficient.

Simplicity and participation

Because they depend on user contributions for their success, the design of Web 2.0 applications and interfaces emphasizes simplicity (ease of use) and open participation (low barriers to use). Allowing users to freely contribute to and use a Web 2.0 service is fundamental to its usefulness because Web 2.0 services get better with increased user participation.

Specialized information

Where traditional web services tend to post content that caters to popular demand, Web 2.0 allows communities of users to develop web content that represents their shared specialized interests. Such communities of interest are therefore given the tools to more effectively share, collaborate on and post their ideas, improving the quantity and quality of specialized information on the internet.

Open access to content

Although they often integrate functions like peer review, filtering and editing in their design, Web 2.0 applications emphasize open and unfettered sharing of digital content. As they make information easier to share and access, many Web 2.0 applications tend to expose data that was traditionally controlled by academic and publishing communities.

The exposure of data has raised new concerns and confusion around the protection of copyrighted material and the maintenance of intellectual property rights. Copyright protection can be easily broken when users post copyrighted information or files, often making enforcement of copyright regulation difficult. Defining intellectual property rights in the Web 2.0 environment is also difficult. Web 2.0 allows content to be developed in a process of open collaboration and continual revision by many users in virtual networks. Individuals who create original content are often lost in this process.

		Examples of Web 2.0 Tools VIU Teaching and Learning Centre
A good place to start if you are new to the different Web 2.0 applications.

		Instructional Strategies Using Web 2.0 - coming soon VIU Teaching and Learning Centre
Discusses how Web 2.0 can be used in the classroom as well as such concerns as copyright and student privacy.

		Malaspina Web 2.0 Blog VIU Teaching and Learning Centre
The goal of this Blog is to introduce VIU Faculty and Staff to Web 2.0 tools, in order to develop skills and understanding of the use of these tools.