Texas Womans University

Fall 2013

The Mashup FAQ

1. What is a Mashup? A mashup is essentially multiple internet or website sources compiled onto one website (Liu, Horton, Olmonson & Wang, 2008). To explain this in more technical terms, an API (application program interface) allows one program to interface with another software program. When there are multiple APIs communicating this is known as a mashup (Roth, 2010). 2. Maybe I have used a Mashup and didnt know it? This is very possible as mashups are gaining in popularity. If a traveler uses a travel website such as Orbitz.com, which tells the traveler if their flight is on time, the weather at their destination, and hotels that are available, this is an example of a mashup. This is essentially linking the airline website, the weather channel, and websites such as hotels.com onto one application, which is presented to the customer as Orbitz Traveler Update. Another common example of a mashup is the interface between social media. For example, if a user posts a status update in LinkedIn and it appears in the users twitter account, this is an example of a mashup (Roth, 2010). Anytime one software is interfacing or being combined with another software onto a common website this is an example of a mashup, so it is likely that you have used a mashup and not known it! 3. When should I consider using a mashup? Educators should consider using a mashup if they want to create a lesson using multiple sources and compile the data onto one website. This allows students to be both interactive and to view multiple sources of data at one time (Liu et al., 2008).

Texas Womans University

Fall 2013

4. Is there certain technology that works better with a Mashup than others? Mashups are fairly easy to create on websites such as weebly.com, which allow you to build your own website and upload files, youtube videos, and link websites and maps onto your presentation. You can do this by uploading the file into the program (Weebly.com, 2013). From there you can customize and build your website to your liking, adding tabs, forums for discussions, blogs and even places to upload assignments (Weebly.com, 2013). You can explore how to build a website on weebly.com at http://www.weebly.com. 5. What are some examples of mashup websites? Mashup websites (Liu et al., 2008) range from functionality to educational purposes. Apartmentratings.com and Orbitz traveler update are both viewed as assisting users to be more proficient; whereas, the Maspskip mashup is an educational mashup used to track and journal a persons travel across the world. The websites for these mashups are: Apartmentratings.com ((http://www.apartmentratings.com/)
Orbitz Traveler Update (http://updates.orbitz.com/) Mapskip (http://www.mapskip.com/) And of course our website: Feed the Masses (http://feedthemasses.weebly.com)

Texas Womans University

Fall 2013

Mashup Technology

A Conceptual Framework for Mashup Personal Learning Environment: abstract view (Chatti, Jarke, and Specht, 2009).

Texas Womans University

Fall 2013 References:

Chatti, M., Jarke, M., & Specht, M. (2009). A Conceptual Framework for Mashup Personal Learning Environments: abstract view. Retrieved October 28, 2013, from: http://lttf.ieee.org/issues/july2009/index_image022.jpg Liu, M., Horton, L., Olmanson, J., & Wang, P. (2008). An exploration of mashups and their potential educational uses. Computers in the Schools, 25(34), 243-258.doi: 10.1080/07380560802368090. Roth, J. (2010). Emerging technology: API's and mashups and elearning. Bringing together ideas about learning management systems (LMS), eLearning and social learning. Retrieved from: http://interactyx.com/social-learning-blog/emerging-technology-apis-an.. Weebly.com (2013). Beginners guide. Retrieved from: http://help.weebly.com/beginnersguide.html.