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 Convention New 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 5 th, Insights October 5 th, Weblogs in Education: A Video by Will RichardsonWeblogs in Education: A Video by Will Richardson Elementary Students Talk About Blogging

Examples of My Blogs Watwood Media Center Blog First Watwood Media Center Blog

Examples of Good Blogs! Talladega City Schools: Talladega, AL It’s About Time! Organization & Time ManagementIt’s About Time! Organization & Time Management **** See instructions for removing “Next Blog” tab

More Good Blogs 61 Degrees North Grandview Library Blog

How To Start a Blog Blogger Edublogs Blogmeister My Blog Site 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 – Mr. Lindsay’s Class – Flat Classroom Project –

My Wikis Classroom Wiki Watwood-4.wikispaces.com Center -Writing Theneverendingstory.wikispaces.com Community Research Kymulgagristmill.wikispaces.com

How to Start a Wiki Wikispaceswww.wikispaces.comWikispaceswww.wikispaces.com –It’s free, without advertising, for teachers Pbwikiwww.pbwiki.comPbwikiwww.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 Kim Smithwick –Click on “ Blogs and Wikis Workshop” link