Wikis, and Wikis, and Blogs Oh My

Wikis, and Wikis, and BlogsOh MyBy Tracy L. Chenoweth

What are Wikis and Blogs?Lets try to define each - BlogThe name blog actually comes from the consolidation of the words web log. Web-log turned into Blog.A weblog is usually defined as a personal or noncommercial web site that uses a dated log format (usually with the most recent addition at the top of the page) and contains links to other web sites along with commentary about those sites. A weblog is updated frequently and sometimes groups links by specific subjects, such as politics, news, pop culture, or computer issuesWhat are Wikis and Blogs?Lets try to define each Wiki (Hawaiian for quick)Wiki is a piece of server software that allows users to freely create and edit Web page content using any Web browser. Wiki supports hyperlinks and has a simple text syntax for creating new pages and crosslinks between internal pages on the fly. Wiki is unusual among group communication mechanisms in that it allows the organization of contributions to be edited in addition to the content itself.

Confused?The definitions are so close to one another it is hard to tell the difference.Lets look at some examplesWhat is the difference?

What is the difference?

What is the difference?

Lets See MoreBlogs

WikisWikis and Blogs in EducationWho is using blogs and wikis?The Students- you can be sure they are using and reading blogs and wikis at home, while traveling, via their phone, via their PSP, etc.

Who should be using blogs and wikis?Teachers, Instructors, Employers, Employees, etc. So, Whats the point?

We already have the experts in our classrooms, they are called the Net Generation and the Next Generation

Ways to Use WikisGreat Ideas50 Ways to Use Wikis for a more Collaborative and Interactive Classroom

Ways to Use BlogsGreat Ideas33 Ways to Use Blogs in Your Classroom and in an Educational SettingWhat are the Advantages?What are the Concerns?What Does Some Research Say?Davis 2008- see reference slide Blogging (and Wikiing) provide a space for sharing opinions and learning in order to grow communities of discourse and knowledge; a space where students and teachers can learn from each other.Blogs (and Wikis) help learners see knowledge as interconnected as opposed to a set of discrete facts.

What About Blooms?So where do you think blogs land on the Blooms ladder?Creating?Evaluating?Analysis?Applying?Understanding?Remembering?

Are You Convinced? Okay GO!Blog SitesThere are a bunch

Wiki SitesThere are too many to listThis will get you started:

http://www.sharetabs.com/?marshalldocwikisandblogs

PS. Have you seen Share Tabs? Check it out

http://sharetabs.com

Share Tabs are great to use in conjunction with blogs and wikis (wink).

Reference MaterialUsing Blogs to Promote Authentic Learning in the Classroom Blog Ideas for the ClassroomRationale for educational bloggingWiki Ideas for the ClassroomWikis Make Learning Wicked Fun Bloom's Taxonomy Blooms Digitally Blooms Taxonomy Rubrics

Questions/Discussion

Thank You!