Blogs and wikis can be useful tools for education. Blogs allow teachers to share class information, assignments, and updates with students and parents. Wikis enable collaborative learning by letting students and teachers create and edit shared web pages. Popular sites for creating free blogs include Blogger and WordPress, while Wikispaces and Wetpaint are options for setting up wikis. Both tools can increase engagement when used to facilitate communication, group projects, and the sharing of resources.

1. Blogs and Wikis USD 379 Technology Inservice January 19, 2009 Matt Brenzikofer Kelli Hays

2. What is a blog? A.K.A. - web log A website that is maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video.

3. Why use blogs in education? Personal/professional journal Group discussion tool Communication tool between teacher/student; teacher/parent Student assignment journal or portfolio

4. How do I create a blog? www.blogger.com www.wordpress.com

5. What do I put on my blog? Class information, rules, policies, etc. Assignments and due dates Classroom updates (what is going on in my classrooms) Text, pictures, video, powerpoints, links, anything you want!

6. Successful blogs….. Are informative Have a purpose Are updated regularly

7. What is a Wiki? Wiki wiki = Hawaiian for “quick” Backronym = W hat I K now I s Web pages designed to enable anyone who accesses it to contribute or modify content

8. Wikipedia Web encyclopedia in which people can create and edit content Comments and criticisms

9. Why use wikis in education? Encourage collaborative learning and information sharing Increase student engagement and participation Facilitate communication between teachers and parents

10. How do I create a wiki? www.wikispaces.com www.wetpaint.com

11. Types of Wikis Student Project Wikis Brainstorming ideas Create and edit a rough draft Collect research and student notes Share contact information and job responsibilities Teacher/Peer Wikis Forum to bounce ideas off other teachers FAQ - ask questions to other teachers Share information with teachers/staff Attach documents to share with others

12. Questions and Comments