ICTs have transformed the way people communicate and interact. For people in rural areas this transformation has been life-changing: farmers are promoting their products on Facebook; extension services are using social media to reach out to clients; and NGOs are using social media tools to mount advocacy campaigns. Featuring a range of examples from ACP countries, this inspiring booklet includes testimonies on how Web 2.0 and social media have contributed to improved policy dialogue and advocacy, value chain development and the provision of information services.

The concept of "Web 2.0" began with a conference brainstorming session between O'Reilly and MediaLive International. Dale Dougherty, web pioneer and O'Reilly VP, noted that far from having "crashed", the web was more important than ever, with exciting new applications and sites popping up with surprising regularity. What's more, the companies that had survived the collapse seemed to have some things in common. Could it be that the dot-com collapse marked some kind of turning point for the web, such that a call to action such as "Web 2.0" might make sense? We agreed that it did, and so the Web 2.0 Conference was born. In the year and a half since, the term "Web 2.0" has clearly taken hold, with more than 9.5 million citations in Google. But there's still a huge amount of disagreement about just what Web 2.0 means, with some people decrying it as a meaningless marketing buzzword, and others accepting it as the new conventional wisdom. This article is an attempt to clarify just what we mean by Web 2.0.

Media Studies 2.0 offers an exploration of the digital revolution and its consequences for media and communication studies, arguing that the new era requires an upgraded discipline: a media studies 2.0. The book traces the history of mass-media and computing, exploring their merger at the end of the twenty-century and the material, ecological, cultural and personal elements of this digital transformation. It considers the history of media and communication studies, arguing that the academic discipline was a product of the analogue, broadcast-era, emerging in the early twentieth century as a response to the success of newspapers, radio and cinema and reflecting that era back in its organisation, themes and concepts. Digitalisation, however, takes us beyond this analogue era (media studies 1.0) into a new, post-broadcast era. Merrin argues that the digital-era demands an upgraded academic discipline: one reflecting the real media life of its students and teaching the key skills needed by the twenty-first century user. Media 2.0 demand a media studies 2.0 This original and critical overview of contemporary developments within media studies is ideal for general students of media and communication, as well as those specifically studying new and digital media.

Chronicles social media over two millennia, from papyrus letters that Cicero used to exchange news across the Empire to today, reminding us how modern behavior echoes that of prior centuries and encouraging debate and discussion about how we'll communicate in the future.

"This book investigates the effects of Web technologies and social media on interaction and the political process helping readers to use Web technologies to address local and global problems and improve systems of governance, social equity, economic activity, sustainability, service delivery, transparency, and the ethical and legal dimensions of public service"--Provided by publisher.

As the majority of the world continues to move into an internet-based society we have seen significant social, cultural, economic and technological changes. Most developing countries have embraced Web 2.0 and have moved onto the next generation of the World Wide Web, however, some developing countries still struggle to bridge the digital divide. Cases on Web 2.0 in Developing Countries: Studies on Implementation, Application, and Use investigates the perception of the value of Web 2.0, the adoption and application of its technologies, as well as the different approaches and innovations necessary for the implementation of Web applications in developing countries.

The suggestion of embracing social media in schools triggers a variety of reactions, from excitement to outright refusal. But teaching students and engaging families who live their lives in an increasingly digital world means the embrace of social media is no longer optional—it is imperative. Education leaders have the tremendous opportunity to leverage the rich opportunities of social media for teaching, learning, and communicating. And this work can be done safely and constructively through a risk management process built on policy, procedures, and professional development. Embracing Social Media: A Practical Guide to Manage Risk and Leverage Opportunity is a practical guide for anyone wishing to facilitate the embrace of social media in a school system. Included are steps for creating policy, procedures, and guidelines, as well as specific strategies to help open the minds of reluctant colleagues and leaders. Also included are best practices for social media, with numerous examples for teaching and learning, professional development, communications with parents, and successfully managing difficult situations online. Key features of this book include: Encouragement and support for education leaders working to bring social media into their school systems. A compelling case for why social media matters to schools Understanding the risks and fears of social media in schools Steps to develop policy, procedures, and guidelines that manage social media’s risks and leverage its opportunities in a school system Examples of how social media can be used in the classroom for teaching and learning Best practices for using social media as a communications tool Specific strategies for managing challenging situations on social media