1. By: Nhia Yang

2. Today’s Lesson Includes:
 Define what a widget is.
 Explore different widget resources.
 Observe and examine the practice of embedding
widgets into a wiki site.

3. What is a widget?
 A widget is an interactive tool that serves a specific purpose.
 A widget is anything that can be taken off of a web site and run
somewhere else. It's basically a small application that does one
simple thing, but it does it well.
 The term “widget” is a generic term for a bit of self-contained
code that displays a program, or a piece of a program, that is also
(usually) a shortcut to a larger application.
 People were first introduced to widgets with the Android version
1.5. Since then, widgets have gained in popularity.
 The purpose of a widget is to bring functionality and
engagement to the end user.

4. Where are widgets found?
 Widgets exist on your desktop, cell phones, and
thousands of websites that you use every single day.
 We often take them for granted and not even notice
that they serve an important purpose.

5. Examples of common widgets
 Calendars
 Mortgage calculators
 Weather forecast tools
 Survey/poll forms
 Counters
 Clocks
 Flashing banners
 Videos
 Podcasts, newsfeed, RSS feed, Google maps

6. Different kinds of widgets
There are 3 kinds of widgets:
* Self-expression widgets - enable people to show off who they are
and what they’re passionate about. A good example is a flickr widget
that lets people post their pictures.
* Ecommerce widgets - allow people to sell things from their sites.
Amazon has a good example of that.
* Enhancement widgets - add functionality to a web site. Guestbook
widgets are a popular example.
Source:
http://www.linkedin.com/answers/technology/blogging/TCH_BLG/267065-6668786

7. Guidelines for using a widget
 Do not overcrowd your website with a bunch of widgets.
Be selective in what you choose and also where you place it
on your website.
 Widgets should add functionality to your website.
 Widgets should make your website pop, add enhancement,
and pizzazz to your site.
 Widgets help to make your website engaging and
interactive for your user.
 Widgets serve a specific purpose. Does it give you any
valuable feedback? For example: poll/survey
 Is the widget appropriate for your given audience?

8. How to embed a widget
 Widgets can often be customized to fit a certain size.
 Widgets can be simply be embedded with code.
 Users can easily find the code to any widget that they
find on a website.
 Please watch the following video on how to embed a
widget.

9. Youtube Video on Widgets

10. Websites to get widgets
www.widgetbox.com
www.googlegadgets.com
http://cooltoolsforschools.wikispaces.com/widgets
http://www.emailmeform.com/
www.flashvortex.com

11. Widgets on my current wiki site
 Email form for parents/students
 Video slideshows to showcase classroom events
 Student of the week banner
 Website Counters
 Built in Interactive Calendar
Possible Ideas for Future:
Twitter news feed widget to remind parents/students of
fieldtrips, assignments, and school events.