Learning about IMARK

This CD on IMARK is well structured with lessons building up knowledge om Web 2.0 tools and applications in a progressive way.

I learnt the following:

Social media connects people geographically and allows access to a massive and international audience.

Social Networking allows individuals of all age groups to connect and communicate around a common interest using online tools and social networking issues, for example using LinkedIn, Facebook, MySpace.

Some potential uses of Social Networking:

• For people to share photos, videos, and information of interest
• Helps to raise awareness about a specific issue (e.g raise funds for a social cause)
• Helps users "do things together" and in a collaborative way (e.g using Groupware tools to write an article; using wikis to work on a common project; using VOIPs to communicate from geographically distant locations)
• Allows collaborative searching of information using Twitter and Social Bookmarking (e.g. Delicious)

Some constraints of Social Networking:

• Information overload
• Internet connection and speed
• Data privacy and security issues (need to protect data and IPR through tools such as the Creative Commons Licence)

Current issues on Social Media

• Increasing use of mobile phones to use social networking
• Use of geotagging to create maps
• The new era: Web 3.0 with potential web applications not yet technically feasible

I am  more at ease now with Web 2.0 tools and applications and looks forward to implement them by offering my contribution to the development of the agricultural sector in my country.