Web 2.0

What is Web 2.0, and how can it be used to engage citizens and stakeholder groups in governance?

That is the theme of a talk Dr. David Newman gave at the IT in Government 2007, Northern Ireland conference.

Learning from each other: engaging stakeholders using Web 2.0

How do know that your customers are satisfied with your services? Should you be doing things differently? What do stakeholders want from government? To find out, you need to engage citizens. We now have ICTs that you can use to learn from stakeholders. With two-way communication, people don't just read what you tell them, but can tell you what they think is important. Dr. Newman will show how Web 2.0 tools can be used to acquire and manage knowledge from many people inside and outside your organisation, based on his extensive research into e-consultation.

• What is new about Web 2.0?
• Uses of Web 2.0 in e-government
• E-consultation
• Innovative ways of using Web 2.0 in e-consultation
• Developing lasting relationships

What is new about Web 2.0?

• 1.0 Worldwide web 1st generation
  • 1 -> many
    • One person writes the content.
    • Many people read the pages.
  • Need to write in HTML + graphics
• 1.5 Content management systems (CMS)
  • Small teams -> many readers
    • Each writer works on a different page
    • Designers and programmers work separately on overall system, not each page.
  • Get easier for writers to use, but still need training.
  • Examples: DirectGov, Green Party in NI
• 2.0
  • many -> many
    • many people write or upload content
    • many others read and sometimes comment
  • Much easier to write
    • Better usability, no training needed (at most watch a 5-min. video)
    • Can set up an account with a service provider such as blogspot or Facebook, or install easy-to-use software like WordPress.
  • Examples:
    • Blogs: Slugger O'Toole
    • Social networking sites: Facebook, Bebo (e.g. Michele Smyth, Alderman Wilson)
    • Share photographs: Flickr
    • Upload videos: YouTube.
  • Comments build conversations
    • Not just a quick information fix: interactive
    • Not just simple instant transactions: ongoing relationships