CESA+4+-+Wikis+and+Blogs

**CESA 4 - Wikis and Blogs for Teaching and Learning - November 25, 2008**
// Kate Olson & Laura Veglahn // //Blogs are a popular form of self-publishing and a great tool for dialogue and collaboration in the classroom. Blogs can also be used for reflection and learning in professional development for educators.//
 * || [[image:BloggingThis.jpg width="253" height="298" link="http://http//flickr.com/photos/foxtongue/24720422/"]] ||< = =

//Wikis are an easy-to-use and extremely useful tool for creating resource repositories,collaborative projects,multimedia-rich websites, and much more. There are many different wiki platforms available, but all bring much value to any classroom. We’ll discuss the uses of wikis in education and best practices involved in including them in everyday curriculum and professional development.//

//We’ll explore many of the different wiki and blog platforms available and learn how to include various media such as videos and photos into these tools. Last but definitely not least, we’ll discuss the appropriate processes needed for safe and effective use of wikis and blogs in your classroom, including how to include them in your existing curriculum. These tools are easy enough for elementary school students to use but can also be challenging enough for advanced technology users at the upper grade levels.//

//Image FlickrCC by [|Foxtongue]// ||

toc

=**1) Interest Survey** =

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=2) Techno Intro =


 * Remember to use tabs!** This makes browsing so much more efficient and organized.


 * If you need a new tab** - CTRL + T
 * To open a link in a new tab** - RIGHT-click on a link and select "Open link in new tab"

//During this workshop, it will be helpful to keep this page and your new gmail account open all of the time.//

=**3) Set up a [|Gmail account]** =

//Why? We'll need an easy-to-access email account for our work today and gmail is the easiest! Also, having a gmail account gives you access to all of the other great features provided by Google, such as Google Docs, Google Reader and much more. If you don't want to continue using the account after today, that's fine! You can just switch the email address on your accounts we created today.//

=**4) Blogs** =


 * __Why Blog?__**
 * Reflection
 * Classroom activity/discussion
 * Writing development - personal and classroom
 * Learning/PD Network
 * Online presence
 * Understanding of social media
 * Self-publish

__**The Blogging Process**__


 * 1) What is your purpose?**
 * Classroom/Student Blogs?
 * Home/Community Connection?
 * Blogging as professional development?

> [|Alltop] (education) > [|Google BlogSearch]
 * 2)** **Look at and read blogs**
 * Check out the **listings below** for examples of education and classroom blogs
 * A listing of some of [|Kate's other favorite blogs]
 * Find blogs that interest you
 * [|Alltop] (general)
 * Create a [|Google Reader] account for easy reading


 * 3) Interact with blogs**
 * Comment
 * "Click on things"


 * 3)** **Create your blog**
 * [|Edublogs]
 * [|Blogger]
 * [|21 Classes]

__**Classroom Blogging**__

//Remember to think about your school's internet use policy and confidentiality issues before blogging with students. A little thought and a good policy will help you get off to a great start! Some good guidelines include never using students' full names and having a "no publish" policy with students who are uncomfortable with having their writing online. Parents also have a say, so make sure you have a alternate form of communication for the students who are not allowed to blog.//

__**Blogging Resources**__

//**Edublogs**//
 * [[file:EdublogsManual11-16-08.pdf]]
 * [|Edublogs Help and Support]
 * [|The Edublogger]

//**Blogger**// code display: none !important; } code //**Blogging**//
 * [|Blogger Help]
 * [|Getting Started with Blogger Presentation]
 * //**Remove Nav Bar - [|directions]**//
 * 1) navbar-iframe {


 * "[|The Prose of Blogging (and a Few Cons, Too)"] - T.H.E. Journal, November 2008
 * [|Blogging Forum on Classroom 2.0]
 * [|Classroom Blogs]

=5) Wikis =

//What in the world are wikis?// //Let's start by doing a brief walk-through of wikis!//


 * //1) Head on over to the [|TeachersFirst Wiki Walk-Through] and explore.//**


 * 2) What is your purpose?**
 * Present information?
 * Collaboration with students?
 * Collaboration with colleagues or community members?


 * 3)** **Look at existing wikis to get some ideas - check out these listings!**
 * EducationalWikis - examples of wikis in education
 * [|WetPaint Wikis in the classroom] - examples of WetPaint wikis in education
 * EduWiki.us - a wiki bringing educators from around the world together


 * 4) Plan and map your content**


 * 5)** **[|Create your wiki!]**

//We'll be focusing on the wiki platform **[|Wikispaces]**, although there are many other options available. Two other favorites are://
 * [|WetPaint]
 * [|PBWiki]

You can also compare wikis at [|WikiMatrix] to pick one that works for you!


 * Because we're using these wikis for education, you are able to get an [|ad-free wiki from Wikispaces].**

__**Wiki Resources**__


 * [|Wiki Walk-Through]
 * [|Wikispaces for Teachers Manual]
 * Wikispaces - Q & A for Teachers
 * [|Wikispaces tutorial videos]
 * Damian Bariexca's Wiki Workshop
 * [|Using Wikis in Schools - a Case Study]
 * EducationalWikis Resources
 * [|Wiki Forum on Classroom 2.0]
 * [|Flickr Creative Commons]

=__**Videos**__ =


 * [|Blogs in Plain English - Common Craft on YouTube]**

media type="youtube" key="NN2I1pWXjXI&hl=en&fs=1" height="344" width="425"


 * [|Wikis in Plain English - CommonCraft on YouTube]**

media type="youtube" key="-dnL00TdmLY&hl=en&fs=1" height="344" width="425"

=__**Education Blogs**__ =

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=__Suggested Reading List__ =

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//For more information or to sign up for site and resource updates, please use the Contact Form or email **Kate Olson** at kolson29@gmail.com. Although the name of the site doesn't indicate it, **Laura Veglahn** co-presented this workshop - she may also be reached through the contact form or by email at lveglahn@spartan.org. This site will be updated with new resources and materials frequently. PLEASE contact Kate or Laura with ANY questions on the resources shared in this workshop - no one should be prevented from using blogs & wikis because of silly technical issues :-)//