BBC WebWise
Type of site | Learning |
|---|---|
| Available in | English (UK) |
| Owner | BBC |
| URL | http://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/ |
| Commercial | No |
| Registration | Required for official course content |
| Launched | 1998 |
| Current status | Online |
BBC WebWise is the BBC's guide to the internet for computer novices. Created in 1998, it consists of a series of articles and videos as well as a computing course accredited by examining body OCR.[1] It also incorporates elements of another BBC website, BBC raw computers.[2] All BBC websites are required to link to WebWise when using content which requires a plug-in.[3]
History
BBC WebWise was created in 1998 to encourage new users to explore the internet, as part of a wider BBC campaign which included TV and radio programmes.[4] By December 1999 it consisted of articles, columns, a blog, message boards and a Q&A section.[5] A wide range of freelance writers were attached to the project, including Charlie Brooker and Bill Thompson[6] (resident columnist with WebWise until 2008[7]).
In 2004, WebWise launched a 10-hour accredited course, called Becoming WebWise.[8]
Current features
WebWise was completely redesigned and relaunched in September 2010,[9] with articles on a variety of computer-related subjects written by well-known technology writers such as Bill Thompson, Wendy M. Grossman and Jack Schofield. It also now contains new courses, a weekly column, and a large A to Z of technical terms.
References
- ^ OCR Vocational Qualifications: ITQ 2009 Levels 1-3 in IT User Skills
- ^ BBC raw computers
- ^ BBC Future Media Standards and Guidelines: Multimedia Plug-in Content Standards
- ^ "BBC WebWise Arrivals Lounge". 30 December 1999. Archived from the original on 15 August 2000. Retrieved 20 September 2010.
- ^ "BBC WebWise homepage". 30 December 1999. Archived from the original on 15 August 2000. Retrieved 20 September 2010.
- ^ "BBC WebWise credits". 30 December 1999. Archived from the original on 11 June 2000. Retrieved 20 September 2010.
- ^ "andfinally: Bill Thompson's Blog". Archived from the original on 2011-07-07. Retrieved 2010-09-20.
- ^ "Becoming WebWise". 3 February 2004. Archived from the original on 3 May 2004. Retrieved 20 September 2010.
- ^ BBC WebWise Weekly comment: Being WebWise means more than clicking around