Wikis, Blogs, & Web Publishing Tools

Melissa Hecht

November 2010

Questions to Explore

1. Which tool have you found most useful?

2. Explain some successes and challenges you have had.

3. What is your take on Moodle and online learning?

4. Share the collection of your work in your presentation.

Most Useful ToolWIKI!!! It can be used for so many things

Website Lesson plans Webquests Organizing class assignments & due dates Web publishing tool (i.e. students can publish their work on

site) Blogging/ discussions

Can download so many things Google calendars for due dates Videos Podcasts Websites etc.!!!

Successes Created lesson plan for genetic engineering on wiki Learned to incorporate blogging as discussion for

controversial topics in science Learned what an RSS reader is (never even knew it

existed) Trialed new programs like glogster, wix, iWeb,

animoto Got many new technology educational tools to use,

but only at the tip of the iceberg in ways to utilize them

LOVED the websites, wikis, blogs, etc that Rich and other students shared. VERY helpful to learn from samples and have good resources!!

Challenges Wix

Spent lots of time only to find out that I can’t upload personal videos

Learned it is best only for educational purposes not personal Not sure of benefit of using wix vs. wiki

iWeb (apple program for web publishing) Tried this on my own to make personal website Discovered that can’t publish to web unless use apple

program for $99 RSS reader

Not yet certain what I would use this for, but see value for minimizing surfing for favorite sites

Blogging Want to develop more content specific ideas for ways to

utilize this besides the way I did

Moodle & Online LearningPositives Love working at my own pace when I have time Very easy and intuitive to use moodle format to work

through modules Clear expectations for course completion Appreciated no required online chats or in person

meetings, but Rich was available to help as needed Liked when Rich provided input on uses of programs

and his preferred programs and gave tutorial/ basic introductions to programs via websites and videos

Just the right amount of and effective collaboration with fellow students via discussion forums (& appreciated helpful sites other students found & shared via email and forums in addition to Rich’s)

Moodle/ Online Learning

Negatives This course had almost no negatives. Although there was still trial and error with

programs, there was more instruction and guidance before starting

Using technology can be very time intensive, once it is complete, the product is very worth it and useful.

Wiki http://mhecht.wikispaces.com/ Loved Wikis and thought this was MOST

helpful tool I will use often Excellent for

Lesson plans Class Website Webquests Blogs Assignments via google calendar embeds Web publishing tool for students to publish work & so much more

RSS Reader

Used Google reader Not sure how to show it, but did add feeders for

NPR science, world, & US news Educational technology blogs from the 50 top

blog sites Rich provided

Blog http://mhecht.wikispaces.com/ I decided to add blogs to my wiki pages. I created 3 blog discussion questions:

1.On link to the brain page under nervous system which is under anatomy. The brain unit is not fully developed yet, so this is only a part of wiki on the brain.

2.Last 2 are under my DNA and protein synthesis link which is under my biology page.

• I thought this would be a good way to have students reflect on the material they are learning and see their relevance to today.

Glog

Below is the link to my glog It is a model of a project that I might assign my

students on genetic diseases. I will likely further develop the glog as I design the assignment more thoroughly.

http://jayoig.edu.glogster.com/neurofibromatosis/

Thank you AGAIN, Rich!!Although I said it before, I will say it again! I have many new tools to use and explore. You have cut the world wide web into

manageable and useful sites (which often can be an overwhelming sea of info to navigate through)

You have introduced to me to sites and tools I did not know existed.

You are a great RESOURCE and a very valuable tool for us to keep in touch with.

Thank you for being available for the course and after hopefully