Wikis, Blogs& other Virtual Spaces

Technology is also allowing for more options in education.

How do we foster an environment where we can utilize the available technologies to extend, enrich, & communicate what we already do.

How do we bring rich media/research and digital collaboration resources for students into one place?

Where can we put student’s digital work for easy access?

What are other options for communicating with parents?

How can students and parents access my learning material from home?

Virtual Learning Environments

Quick Pages Sites where users can quickly post notes, files, and links. (Padlet)

Blogs a regularly updated website or web page, typically one run by an individual or small group, that is written in an informal or conversational style.

Wikis a website that allows anyone to add, delete, or revise content by using a web browser

Websites a connected group of pages on the World Wide Web regarded as a single entity, usually maintained by one person or organization and devoted to a single topic or several closely related topics. So really, a blog or wiki with more than one page can be considered a

website. We will be using Weebly, which we will refer to as a website.

Padlet What it is: Online Bulletin Board where you can post

text, images, files, link Useful features: quick, easy –to- use, collaborative,

option to password protect, customizable backgrounds

Vocab Example: http://padlet.com/coffeebite/1rbmyjr47x

Math Example: http://padlet.com/mkmiller/polygonsinourworld

Story Predictions: http://padlet.com/mrsray/zuoqz1etr1

Numbers: http://padlet.com/ttong/numbers

To Do: On the website, list ways that you can use Padlet

Blogs Blogs provide a communication space that teachers

can utilize with students whenever there is a curriculum need to develop writing, share ideas, and reflect on work being undertaken in the classroom. –Blogs in Education

Research has shown that students write more, write in greater detail, and take greater care with spelling, grammar, and punctuation, when they are writing to an authentic audience over the internet. –Lorrie Jackson – Education World

Blogging PlatformsIndividual Blogs

BloggerUse Google IDQuick Easy-Set UpFreeCustomizableEasy interface makes is great for beginners

WordpressFree or paidTakes a while to get used to interfaceHighly customizableCreate from scratch or templateFor the serious blogger

KidblogFree basicCreate free student accountsUp to 40 students per classUnlimited classesCustomizable settings (private, public)Parent codes for loginsUser-friendly app-availableSimple to useCan’t create pages

EdublogsFree basic (Can’t embed videos and HTML)$40yr for pro to have student accountsCreate pages for more site feel

Blogs for Classrooms

http://triciagriffin.edublogs.org/

We will Explore Kidblog Today

KidBlog is the brainchild of former teacher Matt Hardy and programmer Dan Flies.  Formed in 2007, Kidblog was created to foster proper writing habits in Matt’s classroom. http://www.tubechop.com/watch/4254741

How can students benefit from blogs?

Polish writing skills. Interactive Writing Practice editing and proofreading skills Students learn digital citizenship Increased motivation- Students as publishers for authentic

audiences. Documentation of growth Practice typing skills!! Learn from others through global collaboration Combine rich media with writing Work remotely

Blogs Teachers: use as class websites, teacher reflections, share

student work, share daily class activities, links to resources, files Students:

Book reviews, book summaries Respond to teacher prompts  best of day reflections Use vocabulary words in a sentence or paragraph Explain the steps to completing a math problem Thematic posts Publish short stories Post their digital work or pictures of paper work

Let’s Blog with Kidblog – 10mins

1. Go to : www.kidblog.org/technologybootcamp

2. Click login in the Top Right Corner

3. Find your name in the drop down box and enter your password

3. Click New Post, Post a sentence or two about your holiday break.

4. If you have time… Click All Blogs and Respond to the Who’s coming to the party blog post.

5. If you have more time, check out the control panel view

Blogs are also frequently used to show what students know. Use a wiki for larger collaborative projects

Blogs vs Wiki

Blog – Possible Postings

What is your favorite season and why? (maybe include a hand-drawn picture of your fav season)

What book have you recently read? Would you recommend it and why or why not?

How do you think you would have handled being a pioneer during Westward Expansion? What would have been the hardest part for you and why?

Wikis & Websites

With your group, choose a season and describe its characteristics. Include significant holidays. You may include photos and videos.

Create a vocabulary reference page with words from your most recent read. Include sentences for each word.

Westward Expansion Wiki

Wiki PlatformsWikispaces Free for EducatorsEasily add collaborators (no email needed)Built for collaborationEmbed just about anything Easy formatting layout

PB Works Free for educators, upgrade for more storage.

Google Sites FreeIntegrated with your Google IDTraditional wiki functionality but with a website look and feel

https://sites.google.com/a/dcsdk12.org/castle-rock-elementary/

Classroom ExampleTeacher Shared Space Example

Wikis for Education …a few uses Teacher Webpage (vocab words, homework, useful links, weekly class updates,

resource files for students/parents, study guides)

Post links, videos, files for student thematic units (1st grade examples)

Organize the web for students

Teacher collaboration workspace

Students:

collaborative pages for group work, build on and edit one another's work

Book reviews

Create a class reference book where each student gets a page (transportation, weather, insects, etc) http://timelineofpresidents.wikispaces.com/

Students can create summary pages of units learned

Assign portfolio pages to each of your students and allow them to display and discuss their work

Collaborative Study Guides

Lets get to it! 10 mins

1. Go to:

http://techbootcampatl.wikispaces.com/

2. Sign in

3. Click Edit and respond to the 2 questions on the Home page

4. If you have time… Add a new page. Name the page “your name Page” example: Makisha’s Page

5. If you have more time, take a look around wikispaces!

Weebly in the Classroom - A Blog & Website in one Create visually appealing websites

Create up to 40 Student accounts - Free –

Can password protect

Uses: Teacher webpage/blog

Student blogs

Great for digital portfolios –follows students from year to year. (http://ryanp5h.weebly.com/ password –tiger1)

Summative Projects http://nhdexample1.weebly.com/index.html http://jariusmccall.weebly.com/

Weebly Student Login http://students.weebly.com/