Blogs and Wikis: Do I Need a Vaccine? A Presentation of Excellent Educational Practices by Kitty Forbus and Kim Smithwick Gamma Sigma Chapter, Beta State.

Blogs and Wikis: Do I Need a

Vaccine?

A Presentation of Excellent Educational Practices by Kitty Forbus and Kim Smithwick

Gamma Sigma Chapter, Beta State

Delta Kappa Gamma Southeast Regional ConventionNew Orleans, Louisiana

June 28, 2007

The teacher next door has a Blog and a Wiki. Is she

contagious? Does she need a doctor?

Do the words Blog and Wiki make you feel like this?

If so You are Not Alone!!!!!

Technology does not necessarily improve education. Take a simple innovation like the pencil: One can use it to write a superlative essay, to drum away the time, or to poke

out someone’s eye.

Shirley Veenema and Howard Garner

What is a Blog?• A blog is a Web-publishing concept

that enables anyone to publish information on the Internet.

• The term blog is the shortened form of web log.

• Blogs are easy to use and require NO knowledge of HTML and other “technical terms”.

Why use a Blog in the Classroom?

• It allows 24/7 communication with stakeholders.

• It provides students with an exciting and authentic purpose for writing.

• Writing is done in a safe, controlled environment monitored by the teacher.

Why use a Blog in the Classroom?• Trends seems to indicate that

students’ interest in and quantity of writing increases when their work is published online and subjected to reader comments.

• It allows students to become efficient users of technology on a daily basis.

How Can Blogs be used in the Classrooom?

• EduBlog Insights October 5th, 2004 http://anne.teachesme.com/2004/10/05

• Weblogs in Education: A Video by Will Richardson

• Elementary Students Talk About Blogging

Examples of My Blogs

• Watwood Media Center Bloghttp://watwoodmediacenter.edublogs.org/

• First Watwood Media Center Bloghttp://watwoodmediacenter.blogspot.com/

Examples of Good Blogs!

•Talladega City Schools: Talladega, ALhttp://talladegacityschools.blogspot.com/

•It’s About Time! Organization & Time Management

http://frankbuck.blogspot.com/****See instructions for removing “Next Blog”

tab

More Good Blogs

• 61 Degrees Northhttp://61north.blogspot.com

• Grandview Library Bloghttp://www.grandviewlibrary.org/default.aspx

How To Start a Blog

• Blogger www.blogspot.com• Edublogs www.edublogs.org• Blogmeister

www.classblogmeister.com• My Blog Site www.myblogsite.co

m• Many others…

What is a Wiki?A. Is it a dance?B. Is it a disease?C. Is it a

monster?D. Is it a drink at

the beach?E. Is it none of

the above?

A Wiki is None of the Above.

So you might be wondering just what is a wiki?

What is a Wiki?

• According to dictionary.com, it is:• A collaborative website whose

content can be edited by anyone who has access to it. [Originally an abbreviation of WikiWikiWeb, software developed by American computer programmer Howard G. Cunningham (born 1949)

What is a Wiki?

• “Wiki” comes from the Hawaiian word for “Quick”

• It makes accessing information easy

• It is simple enough for even those teachers and students that thought it was a disease to use

• Some say that WIKI stands for “What I Know is.”

The Most Famous Wiki

• Wikipedia is the most famous wiki available.

• Remember that Wikipedia has a lot of great information but its reliability is not always accurate. All information should be verified.

A Word of Warning

• False or malicious content has and will be placed on open wikis. Proceed with caution. Most classroom wikis are set to private!!!

• John Siegenthaler, Jr. Case• Wikipedia and other wikis are not an

end-all, be-all resource, and students need to be taught this.

Why use a Wiki in the Classroom?

• It allows 24/7 communication with stakeholders

• Provides an authentic audience with an authentic purpose for writing

• Allows students to work collaboratively across any distance, social or grade barrier

• Excellent real world model for writing and editing

• It allows students to become efficient users of technology on a daily basis

Why use a Wiki in the Classroom?

• Writing is done in a safe, controlled environment monitored by the teacher

• Integration of technology• Cooperative learning• Exploration of media • Research• Ethical use of information• Responsibility• Inquiry learning

How can Wikis be used in the Classroom?

• Post content on the web– Student work

• Write collaboratively– Class Newspaper– Poetry

• Communicate almost instantaneously– Parent Communication– Homework/Project Directions

• Edit and proofread additions or changes• Hot Topics-Character Education

Examples of Good Wikis

• Fayetteville High School– www.fhswolvesden.wikispaces.com

• Mr. Lindsay’s Class– http://mrlindsay.pbwiki.com/

• Flat Classroom Project– http://flatclassroomproject.wikispaces.com/

My Wikis

• Classroom Wiki• Watwood-4.wikispaces.com• Center -Writing• Theneverendingstory.wikispaces.c

om• Community Research• Kymulgagristmill.wikispaces.com

How to Start a Wiki

• Wikispaces www.wikispaces.com– It’s free, without advertising, for

teachers

• Pbwiki www.pbwiki.com– It’s free and as easy as making a

peanut butter sandwich

Wiki Prayer

• Please grant me the serenity to accept the pages

I cannot edit,The courage to edit the pages I

can,And the wisdom to know the

difference.

Blogs vs. Wikis

Blogs• Authored by an

individual• Control of the

contents• Only approved

comments are posted

Wikis• Others help compile

the information• Changes to the page

are easily completed by anyone (private-members only)

• A searchable database for storing information

Remember….Whether you chose Blogs or Wikis, this will be a learning experience. Mistakes will be made and problems will arise. Have confidence, try, admit when you need help, but most of all have fun!!!

The Point…

•Keep trying until it works for you!

Are you ready to take the technology plunge?

For More Information

• Kitty Forbus– [email protected]

• Kim Smithwick– [email protected]

• www.watwood-4.wikispaces.com– Click on “ Blogs and Wikis Workshop”

link