Mashups


 * Remixing Curriculum Tools -- Hybrid Web Applications, Mashups and Portals:

Definition--** a web application that combines data and/or functionality from more than one source/application -- "A mashup Web application has three parts: Mashups are different from simple embedding of data from another site to form a compound page. A site that allows a user to embed a [|YouTube] video for instance, is not a mashup site. A mashup site must access third party data using an API, and process that data to add value for the site's users." ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mashup_(web_application_hybrid )
 * A Web page that provides a new service using its own data and data from other sources (from additional content providers).
 * Additional content provider: Data is made available across the Web through an API and using different Web protocols such as HTTP, RSS, REST, or other web services.
 * The client: is the user of the mashup, often using a web browser displaying a web page containing the mashup. Various mashup platforms support the emission of RSS, Web Services, instant messages or email messages, which are consumed by feed readers, rich applications, IM clients or email clients respectively.

Examples of these types of applications are: Google, PageFlakes and FlashEarth.


 * MY RECOMMENDATIONS/CLASSROOM APPLICATIONS**: I was completely fascinated with this type of application. However, it seems to be very individually-based (i.e. to the user). The classroom application to it is less obvious. In addition, it seems to negate the need for the district email service which includes shared calendars, sharing spaces and email. So I see it as a conflict in resources.