Many of us are familiar with Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia that provides up to date information regarding just about any topic imaginable. Just like Wikipedia, classroom wikis require users to have an account or user key that is provided by the teacher. Once the students have the account, they are free to edit the webpage as desired.
Wikis are a perfect avenue for collaboration, or group work. In the past, when a teacher assigned a group project, it usually meant getting together in the evening or on the weekends. As we all know, working around busy schedules can be difficult to manage. With a wiki, the group could work together at their own convenience.
Wikis can be a great brainstorming tool. Furthermore, they provide the perfect structure to incorporate cooperative learning strategies. Vocabulary and test review are a few of the ways my students have used the wiki in our class. Take a look at the following examples:
Additional classroom applications of wikis:
* communication between school and home
* resource library for assignments
* class newspaper or newsletter
* assignment/homework information
* peer review
Do wikis sound like something that can be used in your classroom? Check out the following sites to see what works for you.
 |
 |
 |
Making the Most of Your Blog
Wikis, Blogs, and There's More?
The first thing to keep in mind is the purpose for blogging. This may be different in every class. Some teachers might want to start with students responding to a blog initiated by the teacher, and others may want the students to initiate the work. Whatever you decide, find a site that works for you that is open in your district.
Find another teacher to collaborate with. If you are using Blogmeister, you can find other teachers in your grade/subject area right on the front page.
Once you've found another teacher to collaborate with, assign each student a "blog buddy." This will provide the opportunity for all students to receive a fair amount of posts rather than one student receiving too many while another student receives none. It will also help the students create more of a relationship, so they feel comfortable in situations where peer tutoring might be necessary.
Comments and articles should require the students to think. Reflection and questioning are great ways to determine if your students are really being challenged in class. Post listed information that students should include in their blog when they reflect. Ask an essential question to get them thinking about the lesson in a critical manner. Questioning the essential question can certainly get students involved in the lesson right from the beginning. Comments should contain additional information, reasons for disagreement, or questions. Try to stay away from general encouragement alone. This will refrain students from thinking critically about the lesson.
Utilizing multimedia is another great way to get the students to practice visual literacy skills and even demonstrate higher order thinking. Many sites, whether it is a wiki or a blog, have toolbars to upload videos, pictures, or audio files. However, if the site you choose doesn't offer this, you might be able to add in html code. There are a few different websites that will store visuals. Slide.com and Picasa web albums are two of the easiest ones I've used.
Simply upload your pictures to the website of your choice, then copy the code into your blog article, as shown.
html code  |
copy into article  |
Keep in mind that if students recognize their audience is the entire world, they are more likely to put forth a little more effort in their blogs. Even so, assessment is important. Students can get a better understanding of what is necessary in their blog if they're included in the creation of assessment. Here are a few examples of scoring guides created by two fourth grade classes and two third grade classes.
Try it out: Comment to the Web 2.0 Toolbox post
 |
 |
Podcasts are everywhere now. Television stations and networks are podcasting shows so you can retrieve them in case you missed a show. Universities have started incorporating them in classes, as well. Think about everything you could accomplish in class if you could podcast the lecture so students could access it on their iPod later! What an idea!
In addition to this, students can create their own podcasts. To create an effective podcast, there are a few things to remember. First, in order to be a true podcast, it must be syndicated. Visit my blog for step by step directions to syndicate your podcast.
Encourage higher order thinking by utilizing podcasts for more than just the typical research report. Create study guides for your collaborating bloggers. Publish persuasive information or informative reports of students' choice. Take a look at these applications that will help make your podcast pop.
(PC users) |
(Mac users) |
(For syndication) |
Email Mrs. Reynolds
This site was created on June 16, 2006
Last Updated
October 21, 2009
©2007