FutureLearn

Web Science: How the Web is Changing the World (FutureLearn)

Offered by University of Southampton,
Web Science: How the Web is Changing the World (FutureLearn)

Explore how the web has changed our world and what the future might hold, with this free online course introducing Web Science. You may already be an avid user of the Web, but this introduction to Web Science will help you better understand it as both a social and technical system - a global information infrastructure, built from the interactions of people and technologies. This free online course is based on our experience of trying to understand how the Web has grown and changed through technical innovation, economics, politics and everyday use.

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Explore the past and future of the Web
In Week 1, we’ll ask what would happen if the Web was switched off right now. We’ll use this question to explore the history of the Internet and find out why we’re so dependent on it today. You’ll have the opportunity to contribute to the course, by telling us how you use the Web in your part of the world.
In Week 2, we’ll look to the future, finding out how emerging trends – including big data, the semantic web and the Internet of Things – will change both the infrastructure of the Web and the ways in which we use it.
By following this course, you will have a greater understanding of the Web and begin to develop skills for the digital era – skills that are useful for everyday life and widely sought by the technology-driven employers of today.

What topics will you cover?

  • Web Science: concept of both a social and technical system
  • Factors influencing the history of the Web
  • The Web around the world: global differences
  • Access to the web: universal access and net neutrality
  • Next steps for the web: the Semantic Web and the Internet of Things
  • The Web we want: suggestions for improving the existing Web
  • Web Science: where is research leading us?

What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you'll be able to...

  • Describe the history and evolution of the Web both as a social and technical communication system
  • Assess the role of the Web in economy, society, and culture
  • Debate controversial issues relating to the Web such as Net Neutrality
  • Reflect upon the impact of novel technologies such as the Semantic Web and the Internet of Things on the Web
  • Explore the role of governance in creating a fairer and more effective Web
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