Social Bookmarking: Diigo

Summary

            All Internet browsers allow users to save, organize, and gain easy access to their favorite websites but Web 2.0 technology has combined bookmarking with social networking to bring Internet users social bookmarking. One such social bookmarking site, Diigo, provides a browser add-on, allowing users to highlight, comment, bookmark, and share (through facebook, twitter, and email) webpages and online articles. But, that only describes its bookmarking capabilities. Diigo provides an online library where bookmarks are stored. This library can be accessed by the public, other Diigo users, or by friends (depending upon the user’s privacy settings). Diigo makes bookmarking social by connecting users with content and people based on location, language, and content preferences. Groups can be created through which “members” can collect and share digital information for a common goal: to provide resources, to inform, to open discussion, etc.

What I Did

            A user can decide how extensively they which to make use of Diigo’s services. Diigo’s website offers videos for general information and tutorials to get you started. Before I began using the site I viewed this Youtube video which introduced me to Diigo’s most basic features and encouraged me to use its more social features for a greater experience.

To get started, the video recommended 1) using the browser add-on to highlight and annotate online articles, 2) using the add-on to bookmark those articles and tag them using keywords, and 3) using the personal library to organize bookmarks in lists.

To use the site’s more extensive features, the video recommended 1) checking out what Diigo friends are interested in, what interests are shared in common, 2) messaging Diigo friends and 3) participating in groups.
 

After registering for Diigo, I updated my profile, setting preferences that will allow Diigo to make suggestions for me, I adjusted my settings to provide me with a comfortable level of security, and I began searching for interesting articles to read online. Once I found an interesting article, I clicked on the Diigolet add-on, I clicked on bookmark which allowed me to add a title, description, and tags. Then I highlighted and added comments throughout the article to sections I found particularly important or intriguing. I went into my Diigo library. I was interested to see that not only did the title of the article, its description, and its tags appear, but everything that I highlighted and all of my comments appeared as well.

The ability to see these things, I believe, makes the tool very valuable although, I think that as I add more articles, the page will become difficult to look at and sort through. It seems that the list feature may come in handy to midigate this problem.

To see my public Diigo library click here.

Q&A

What is Web 2.0?

Web 2.0 is different from previous stages of the web as it is based on user generated content as opposed to serving content created for users. Web 2.0 combines social media and publishing techniques in ways that enable users to collaborate in virtual communities with the purpose of sharing information.

What is social bookmarking?

Social bookmarking sites are for Internet users to acquire, archive, tag, and share online resources within an online community.

What are advantages to social bookmarking?

The World Wide Web expands by the second. Somewhere online is the relevant, informational, or interesting resource I’ve been looking for. Once I find it by sifting through all the sites that don’t meet my criteria, instead of keeping it to myself, I can share this resource with others through social bookmarking. The process of online research is then streamlined for others who have the same interests and needs that I do.

What is a browser add-on and why are they useful?

Browser add-ons are tools that appear in one’s Internet browser that provide additional functionalities for online sites and applications such as Amazon’s “Add to Wish List” button. They are allow  popular websites to be used in effective and efficient ways that work for the user.

What browser do you use?
            Internet Explorer.

What is your experience with browser add-ons?
            I have had very little experience with browser add-ons.

 

Did you get your add on to work?
            Yes.

 

What browser add-ons are you currently using?
            Internet Explorer Bookmark, Diigo, Norton Security. 

How I Would Use It

Age restrictions apply to many social media sites and their use is therefore inappropriate in schools. For this assignment, I read an article that suggests this tool may motivate school age students to read and encourage them to participate in discussions about readings. This may be true for high school students but I would be weary of using such technology (parent permission would be required) and it certainly has no place in the elementary classroom. However, if used by staff and faculty within a school system, professional development would be put on a fast track. Online resources for classroom use and recent research in the field could be shared and debates could be raised over important issues through a Diigo group by colleagues.

Standards Reflection

            A teacher using Diigo would be meeting Standard 5 of the ISTE-NETS-T standards, particularly sections a, c, and d. When teachers communicate and share ideas regarding teaching and learning with others through Diigo, especially when networking in a group, they are teaching and learning in a virtual place with multiple communities. As they research articles and read articles found by others, they are thinking critically about information that could influence their practices in the classroom. If teachers in a school or school system participate and collaborate within a Diigo group, they are promoting the modern advancement of their school community and classrooms.