Prior to exploring Delicious.com, I had only regularly used the bookmarking feature on the various browsers that I used. I often experienced the frustration upon opening a browser on a computer at work and then remembering that I did not have access to my bookmarks that were set on the home computer. Although I had used bookmark sites in college classes over the years as part of my course requirements, I had never actually used for personal use as I had found them complicated and non-user friendly. I was also concerned with the security or lack thereof such sites. As sites become more popular, the potential for misuse by spammers rises. Therefore, I had not used social bookmarking sites.When my partner and I were assigned Delicious.com, I had a chance to really explore “modern” bookmarking tools. Bookmarking sites today are not just for marking places to which a user wants to return, but are also a way of connecting with other individuals who have the same interests as does the user. By connecting with others with similar interests, one can find additional tags that will lead the user to additional information. Those tags will lead the learner to more tags – more information. The potential to find more and more information could be limitless.Additionally, social bookmarking sites allow the user to market himself/herself to potential employers. By providing clear links between bookmarking sites that use the same ID and providing clear tags, he/she has the potential to reach hundreds of contacts. Employers and prospective candidates can interact with one another early in the selection process via a common site. Relevant applicant profile data can be supplemented with additional detail, if requested, depending on the course of the interview.Security features have improved. Most sites have installed spam filters and are constantly adjusting security features to prevent abuse. Although there are some Spammers managing to work around the filters, the hosts are making an effort to provide a secure environment. After exploring Delicious.com I am less uneasy with security issues with social bookmarking sites.I looked at many other bookmarking sites to compare features. I selected two sites that I found interesting, Diigo.com and Jumptags.com . Many of the sites have added non-tagging features, such as links to You-tube and Gaming sites, in order to sway users to their sites. Delicious has remained true to its bookmarking origins. Therefore, I found it best fits my needs. I do not need access to videos, and games on an easy access bookmarking site.In a K-12 educational setting, I can see social bookmarking as a to support material taught in the classroom. Teachers can provide bookmarks/tags to sites for students to visit. They will provide interactive or interesting presentations of materials to be used in research or study projects. By providing bookmarks, an instructor better ensures that students will not wander into undesirable sites. These bookmarks can be accessed from school, home or public libraries. Parents can assist in the learning process by visiting the tagged sites before, during, and after the lesson have been presented in the classroom. Bookmarking sites such as Delicious.com enhance learning potential. I know that I will a district-approved site for my students’ next research assignment.References:Advantages of social bookmarking. (2008). Retrieved February 20, 2009 from http://socialbookmarkingnetwork.com/blog/social-bookmarking/advantages-of-social-bookmarking.phpDoctor, Vanessa Arellano. How to identify legitimate bookmarking sites. (2007). TURKS.us Daily World EU News. (2007, December 17). Retrieved on February 20, 2009 from http://www.turks.us/article.php?story=HowToIdentifyLegitimateSocialBookmMandell, Josh. (2009) Website review: the new delicious.com. Blogcritics Magazine. (2008, August 12). Retrieved January 22, 2009, from http://blogcritics.org/archives/2008/08/12/124832.php
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