How Does this Program Work?

You are invited to learn about Web 2.0 and improve technology skills associated with prevalent and emerging web tools through self-paced online "lessons" in the form of weekly blog posts. This twelve week program offers each participant information, resources and hands-on activities focusing on unique web based tools, concepts or technologies associated with Web 2.0.

How Do I Complete the Program?

Completing the program is easy. You need to do is read all VB Learning blog posts, including the FAQs, do and think about the information in the "Learn More About" activities in the weekly posts, complete the "Hands On Activities", including reading the "Important Tips" in the weekly posts and record your work for each weekly post. Each week, you will need to commit to 20 to 50 minutes of learning time.

How Do I Record My Work?

In week 1, you learn about blogging and create a blog for several reasons. Your blog will be your learning journal. You will do all the hands-on activities each week and create a blog post about what you did. It's your record of completing each weekly activity. At the end of the program, look back and read your first post, you'll be surprise just how much you learned.

To successfully complete the program, you should have a total of 12 unique blog posts. To help record your work, label each of your blog posts with the weekly topic. Here is an example: Week 1 - Blogs.

Why Weekly Blog Posts?

Each week, one blog post will be added to the VB Learning blog. The blog post will provide an overview of the topic, "Learn More About" activities and "Hands on Activities". This staggered approach allows participants to focus on a specific topic each week without feeling overwhelmed. Week one has two blog posts: blogging and microblogging. The second post features Twitter.

Can I Participate Anonymously?

Yes! You may choose to reveal (by using your name) or conceal your identity (by using some other ID such as your pet's name or something that you made up) when creating your blog and using the other tools in this program. In other words, feel free to blog anonymously. Anonymity does not equal irresponsible behavior.

Do I Need to Create Accounts to Participate?

If you choose to fully participate and complete the hands-on activities, you will need to create several different accounts. You may choose to conceal or reveal information about yourself as you see fit. If you have already established a Yahoo or Google email account, you can often just log-in.

In week 11, you will learn more about managing your online identity. It's important to be smart about sharing your personal information, online and in-person. Protect your personal information by using privacy features built into web 2.0 tools.

What if I Need Help?

While this program is self-directed, help is available in many ways. You are encouraged to collaborate with colleagues. Ask for help! The Web 2.0 Team is multi-departmental. Team members are glad to share what they know. You can use the blog comment feature to ask questions. Or you can contact Cindy Hart at chart@vbgov.com.