Week 7 - Web Widgets & Gadgets

To successfully complete No. 2 - Web Widgets & Gadgets, you must...

READ this blog post.
DO and THINK about the information in the "Learn More About" activities.
LEARN by completing the Hands On Activities, including reading the Important Tips.

Your total time commitment is about 25 to 35 minutes.

Introduction to Web Widgets & Gadgets
A web widget, also known as a widget, is a small program (reusable code) that can be added to any web site including a blog or personalized start page. Widgets provide additional functionality. Some examples of widget including addding a YouTube playlist or embedded player to your blog, signing up for RSS or bookmarking a web page using the social bookmarking site del.icio.us.

A gadget acts and looks like a widget; they are created with proprietary programming code. It works only with a specific web site or a set of specific web sites. For example, Google Gadgets can look and act like widgets. But, they only work on Google pages.

There are many uses for widgets and gadgets. The Virginia Beach Public Library is using a Meebome instant messaging widget to chat with library customer. Information organizing widgets allow you to collect and use information that you find while doing research. Zoho Notebook allows you aggregate content from multiple sources or applications. It's a great tool for collaborating on team projects. You can sart a group notebook. Then, send content and comments and save it all in one place.

"Learn More About" Web Widgets and Gadgets
1. Read the article Web Widgets on Wikipedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_widget. (Time Commitments 2 minutes)
2. Watch the YouTube video, What are web widgets Part 1 at http://youtube.com/watch?v=HRAmQ_m2asg&feature=related. (Time Commitment 1:16)
3. Watch the YouTube video, What are web widgets part 2 at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoeHy40qjEs&feature=related. (Time Commitment 1:29)

Hands On Activities

Part 1 Add a Wideget to your Blog

• Visit Widgetbox at http://www.widgetbox.com/
• Select a widget to add to your blog.

Part 2 Create a blog post about widgets

• Sign onto Blogger
• Select the new post link in your dashboard or the create link under the Posting tab.
• Use the compose tab to type a brief message about your experience with this hands-on activity. Questions to get you started: Was it easy? Did you enjoy it? How can you use a widget or gadget to improve efficiency at home or at work?
• Label Your post: Week 7 - Wed Widgets & Gadgets
• When you have finished typing and are ready to publish your thoughts, select the orange button, publish post. This will add the post to your blog. If you select the blue button, save now, the blog post will be added to your list of posts for editing and publishing at a later time.

Great job! Next week, it's all about social networking.