BBC WebWise

This article is about the website. For the advertising service, see Phorm.
BBC WebWise
Web address http://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/
Slogan "A beginner's guide to using the internet"
Commercial? No
Type of site
Learning
Registration Required for official course content
Available in English (UK)
Owner BBC
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

  1. OCR Vocational Qualifications: ITQ 2009 Levels 1-3 in IT User Skills
  2. BBC raw computers
  3. BBC Future Media Standards and Guidelines: Multimedia Plug-in Content Standards
  4. "BBC WebWise Arrivals Lounge". 30 December 1999. Archived from the original on 15 August 2000. Retrieved 20 September 2010.
  5. "BBC WebWise homepage". 30 December 1999. Archived from the original on 15 August 2000. Retrieved 20 September 2010.
  6. "BBC WebWise credits". 30 December 1999. Archived from the original on 11 June 2000. Retrieved 20 September 2010.
  7. andfinally: Bill Thompson's Blog
  8. "Becoming WebWise". 3 February 2004. Archived from the original on 3 May 2004. Retrieved 20 September 2010.
  9. BBC WebWise Weekly comment: Being WebWise means more than clicking around

External links

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