About the Read-Write Web


About the Read-Write Web 

 

The Read/Write Web:

  • is interactive, not static

  • is about open source sharing, not proprietary licensing

  • is about open source information

  • invites participation

  • is social & conversational

  • helps make connections between people with common interests 

     

     

     

     

     

     

Open Source Software

  • focussed on end-user
  • invites users to improve and share improvements
  • increasing move to using web as a platform: web-based tools vs desktop apps

 

Open Source Information

  • using Internet to make vast range of human knowledge accessible to everyone
  • values contributions of amateurs as well as experts

 

MashUp Culture

  • mixing & matching apps & content to create new meaning & context
  • open source content: sampling & combining others' work as means of creativity

 

Citizen Journalism

  • Instant access to world events as they unfold
  • Multimedia content pervasive
  • Anyone can participate: limitless "takes" on events
  • Anyone can establish credibility and a following
  • Social context of unfolding events: conversations between participants and observers

 

Shifting Notions of Intellectual Property

  • raging debate about digital rights
  • implications for traditional publishing / recording / movie industiries
  • backlash amongst users: information is open source
  • growth of creative commons licensing

 

Shifting Notions of Authority

  • cult of the amateur
  • "anti-credentialism" - i.e., Wikipedia
  • power of collaboration
  • authority = popularity

Is all of this giving you a headache?

 

As information specialists, we need to consider:

  • leadership: keeping up with changes, and being leaders in our libraries & schools
  • being curious about role of information in society
  • the implications and opportunities for school library programs
    • physical & virtual presence of the library
    • teaching information literacy

    • learning literacy
    • huge potential of 21st century learning