WEB 2.0 TOOLS
BLOG VERSUS WIKI
Blog is a term used to describe websites, which are free and easy to use. It is also a shared online diary where there are automatic updates, and thus can be shared with others by simply providing the blog address.
EXAMPLES OF BLOGGING SOFTWARE
The easiest blogging software to be used depends on the individual. Below show some of the best blogging software used on the market.
TYPES
PERSONAL BLOG
CORPORATE BLOGS
NICHE BLOGS
CORPORATE BLOGS
NICHE BLOGS
Online diary
Can be seen by small groups, friends or family members.
Corporate blog
It is mostly used for business purposes.
Niche blog
It is used to write for particular topics.They can be virtually anything from travel to politics.
BASIC STRUCTURE OF A BLOG
- DASHBOARD
See the link below to find out more information on using your blog dashboard.
- THEME
- THEME LAYOUT
- HEADER
- POSTS
- COMMENTS
- PAGES
- SIDE BAR
- WIDGET
- RSS
WHAT CAN YOU POST ON A BLOG?
Images, videos, tests, and even files can be posted to a blog.
EXAMPLES OF EDUCATIONAL BLOGS
- Teacher's personal blog
2. Class blog
WHY BLOG?
- To motivate students
- For digital literacy
- Enable connectivity with parents
- To express our creativity
- Share lessons, opinions and assignments
- To obtain feedback
- Replace newsletters
- Very quick and easy to set up.
- New posts can be easily added.
- Enable us to write down our thoughts on any topic, thus learn how to deal with the comments.
- Develop social skills for life.
- Able interactions between different people and understood social cultures.
DRAWBACKS
- No confidentiality. Anyone can see the posts( if something unpredictably has been posted)
- Time consuming, as we should find times to update our data.
- Rude or inappropriate comments can be posted.
- Not all students will be interested to read all posts in the blog.
How to create a FREE blog / website tutorial (you will have a free website in 10mins)
WHAT IS A WIKI?
It is a free writing space created and edited by multi users over the internet. It allows asynchronous communication and group collaboration across the internet.Wikis allow to incorporate images, sounds, and movies.
KIND OF WIKIS
Private wiki - A wiki which is maintained mainly for personal use. It allows organization of information on their desktop or mobiles similar to community wiki.
Public wiki - A website which allows sharing and collaboration between different people.
Public wiki - A website which allows sharing and collaboration between different people.
EXAMPLES OF WIKIS
HOW WIKI WORKS?
Watch the video below to have a know-how about starting a wiki.
creating a wiki using Google Sites
WHY WIKI?
- For documentation
- For project management
- For knowledge base
- For meeting management
- Encyclopedia
CREATIVITY IN WIKIS
Wikis enable creativity in the students.
Widgets let them add a variety of tools and web technologies into their wiki. For example; a map, poll, calendar, video. Students can also upload images to their wiki.
Widgets let them add a variety of tools and web technologies into their wiki. For example; a map, poll, calendar, video. Students can also upload images to their wiki.
Here is a video widget.
Wikipedia
WIKIS AS STUDENT ACTIVITY
How wikis can be a student activity:
- First, the teacher will need to create a wiki for the class and have each student sign up to be a part of that wiki. This can be done at wikispaces.com or wikia.com.
- Demonstrate for students the process of creating a new page, and show them some of the things you can add to pages such as pictures or widgets.
- Students can either work on pages individually or in groups. Wikis make for excellent group projects, as they focus on collaboration.
- Assign each group a topic or several topics that they need to create pages in the wiki about.
- Provide students with a rubric of what you expect in their wiki.
- Assist students with any technological or understanding issues they have.
- Allow all students to look through the completed wiki during class. This will allow students to see each other's work and learn about each of the topics.
BLOGS
- Usually one author
- · Multiple contributors
- · Author posts, user comments
- · New content everyday
- · Diary or journal style entries
- · Older posts still available for viewing
WIKIS
- Multiple authors
- Edited by a group or a team
- Links to other wiki pages
- Best for collaboration and research
- Evolving same content over time
Watch this short video to have a better understanding of how to use blog and wiki in our classroom.
Blogs and Wikis