Attending the CTA Web 2.0 workshop (September 10-14, 2012) was such an enriching experience, one that has changed the way I look at the internet’s development and social power.
My online sight is now clearer and I can confidently use Web 2.0 in both my personal and professional dealings.
In the past I tried to teach myself all I could about Web 2.0 tools but it is good to have someone offer a formal explanation. In the process, I realized that there was actually a lot that I did not know about Web 2.0, especially about the many available helpful tools and resources.
What I learnt Web 2.0 and Social Media
In this module, we travelled through the ideas behind social media and how we can use it to generate content (which is at the core of my work as a blogger), network and collaborate.
I learnt that social media goes beyond content creation by providing platforms for people to interact and share or re-use content.
What’s more, social media does not only provide tools for individuals but it can also be used positively by larger group who are able to form online communities and even corporations and businesses that want to connect with their targeted audiences or potential clients.
Using Web 2.0 tools, content can be shared either as text documents, videos, and photos or in audio form.
Social media does not recognise geography, which allows people from across the globe to network, collaborate and form communities.
Facebook has the largest share of social media networks but other platforms such as Hi5, Linkedin and myspace also claim their own respective shares.
Web 2.0 allows anyone, regardless of their technical skills, to create and publish content.
What I learnt about Social Media Tools and Services
1. Groupware – this type of software allows users to work with others. One of the tools that I liked was Google Drive. This is an awesome tool that allows a group to work on the same document, at the same time directly on the Internet. No more emailing back and forth. I intend to maximise my use of Google Drive. Of course we learnt about other services that allow conferencing, video calls, group chats, texts and forums. Groupware also involves emailing to larger audiences through D-groups, newsletters and others.
2. Blogs – This allows users to easily share information. Anyone can own a blog, they don’t need and technical skills to do that. It is simple to set up (everyone in my class managed to do that within five to ten minutes, oh that is everybody except Mwila, who only managed to do that 24 hours later, LOL). A blog can be about anything and it can be presented in any creative way. There is no style guide. I would encourage Zambians to blog more for our country to claim a larger share in the global blogosphere.
3. Micro-blogging – For those who are not able to write whole articles, they could perhaps try micro-blogging. This only requires one to publish a few sentences, normally 12o characters. The largest micro- blogging platform is Twitter. Micro-blogging a very good tool that can be used to publish breaking news.
4. Video sharing – this is another tool that is used to share visually documented information. The videos can be uploaded on platforms such as YOUTube, Facebook and many others. We heard during our training, that YOUTube actually has videos that provide information on nearly anything. For instance, Simunza had a problem with this Mac and says he used a YOUTube how to video to repair it. To upload videos, you simply create an account on the platform you want to use.
5. Photo Sharing – Ok, this one we all know. Many of us have shared pictures on social platforms such as Facebook. But just a word of caution from Simunza “it is not a good idea to post children’s pictures online because you never know where they will end up.” I guess I have to keep that in mind because my cuties always appear on my Facebook timeline. Pictures can also be shared on Flickr. One can simply create an account and invite friends or colleagues to view them and post comments.
6. Pod casting – this is used to share audio information. You can record your grandmother in Luapula singing ichimbo chamalilo and show the world how your people mourn their dead with song and dance. Interesting, ka?
7. Wikis – this was my favourite topic during the training. A wiki is a website that can be edited online, by anyone, yes you read right, by anyone! What happens is you can create a wiki, which can then be viewed by other, and those people can edit the post. One interesting feature about wikis is that the history is recorded and you can revert it back to where you want it to be even if others have edited it. And it documents all those who edit it. Oh, I almost forgot, wikis are created offline and then posted when all is done.
8. Chats (voice, video inclusive) and Instant Massaging – this is straight forward, right? We are use it but just in case there is someone from Eastern province who doesn’t understand, these are tools that allows users to communicate if there are connected to the internet at the same time. In case of video chats, users can use platforms such as Skype to chat and see each other. By the way, I just learnt that Skype is illegal in Zambia, so don’t get caught but use it at every available opportunity.
In conclusion, let me just say, I learnt too many things that I cannot mention all of them. I will definitely use the information, knowledge and skills I have acquired and above all, I will network with many of my fellow participants.
Thank you Simunza for your patience and thanks to CTA for organising this workshop. I loved every bit.
