Lena Arena ICT Consultant, Sydney Region Creating Collaborative Blogs and Wikis

What is a Blog? “A web page containing brief, chronologically arranged items of information. A blog can take the form of a diary, journal, what's new page, or links to other web sites.” Peter Scott, Internet Librarian 2001 The word blog comes from the words we b log. A blog is an online diary. It is created by one person to share their thoughts on a regular basis e.g. weekly, daily etc.

What is a blog? Entries on a blog are called posts. Visitors to a blog can leave a comment Free blog sites include: blogEd – the DEC blog Edublogs - (allowed for all students and staff) Google – blogger – available for staff creation Word Press - (blocked to students )

What is a blog? Blogs in Plain English

Why use blogs? Blogs provide a communication space that teachers can utilise with students whenever there is a curriculum need to develop writing, share ideas and reflect on work being undertaken in the classroom.

Sample Sample blogs: blogsandwikisproject2013/ kponline/

1. a wiki is a web site that enables users to read, create, edit, and delete its content 2. named after the Hawaiian word wiki-wiki for "quick” 3. most well-known example is the Wikipedia, a free online encyclopedia edited by volunteers around the world 4. a living collaboration whose purpose is the sharing of the creative process and product by many What is a wiki?

1. Great motivator for students 2. Easy to monitor 3. Allows for creativity and innovation 4. Encourages participation of all students 5. Promotes communication between students, teachers, and parents 6. A new, interesting way to learn Why use a wiki?

1. It’s a very easy to use online collaboration tool. 2. It can be used by YOU to share ideas with other teachers on ideas you want feedback on. 3. It can be used by YOUR STUDENTS to track their understanding on the subject you are teaching – (i.e. character study in Charlotte’s Web, collaborative creative writing, current events, etc.) Why use a wiki?

1. It can be used by STAFF to track staff meetings, in-services, curriculum studies 2. It can be used by PARENTS to keep track of homework, of how their child is participating in online discussions, etc. Why use a wiki?

1. Simple websites 2. Peer-reviewed projects 3. Group projects 4. Manage school and classroom documents 5. Collaborative writing 6. Glossary of terms 7. Research 8. Revision notes How can it be used in the classroom?

1. Classroom discussion and debate 2. Teacher collaboration 3. Post classroom assignments 4. Collaborate with an international classroom How can it be used in the classroom?

Public Anyone can view and edit your wiki Protected Anyone can view your space but only members can edit Private Only members can view or edit your space Types of wikis

Wikis are an example of Web 2 social software. They can provide an eLearning environment in which teachers and learners can maintain control over, and input into, their own learning. The software provides flexible access to resources and fosters collaboration in a way that enriches educational delivery. Wikis can be used to stimulate thinking outside of regular class time or as the basis for beginning new classroom discussions and coming up with new ideas. Are blogs and wikis appropriate for educational delivery?

Protected wikis - DEC guidelinesguidelines Acceptable usage – rules Student accounts Considerations

1. awakiwiki 2. Teaching ICT K-12 Examples

Lena Arena ICT Consultant K-12 Sydney Region Questions? Need More Information?