learning wtih blogs & wikis
DESCRIPTION
How can educators use blogs and wikis to address student literacies, i.e. pre- and post-digital worlds?TRANSCRIPT
Technology is reshaping
students’ reading and writing
practices with or without
educators’ intervention
Challenge
Teach students to be literate in two languages
Pre-digital worldPost-digital world
mindmeister
What does that mean?
Thoughtful communication using powerful (and correct) communication
Not, “Yo! Wuz up Teach?”
Examine long standing teaching traditions like:
Using textbooks as a primary source of information
Relying on end-of-chapter tests
Spelling words three times
Pre-Digital Literacy
Literacy skills are those skills which enable a learner to read and write with independence, comprehension and fluency.
FluencyReading ReadinessReadingWriting
The Writing Process
Prewriting
Drafting
Revising
Editing
Publishing
The writing process facilitates thinking and learning .
Post-Digital Literacy
“ . . . is the ability to understand and use information in multiple formats from a wide range of sources when it is presented via computers.”
Forums Neopets, Gaia Online
Blogs Blogger
Micro-blog Twitter, Plurk
Wikis PBWorks
Social Networking Facebook, MySpace
Media Sharing YouTube, Flickr
What is a blog?A blog is a web-publishing concept that enables anyone to publish information on the Internet.
Blogging has become a journalistic tool, a way to publish news, ideas, rants, announcements, and ponderings – anyone and everyone can be a columnist!
A highly effective way to help students to become better writers.
Educational UsesModel good literacy in both old and new languages
Communication with parents, teachers, and students
Professional development and collaboration
Instruction
Easy to build, easy to maintain websites
Blogging With Students
Reflection, feedback and collaboration
Easy storage and organization
Access to teachers and parents
Preparing for Blogging
What teaching strategy will you use?
Who are you trying to reach?
Who will post to the blog?
What is the key message?
What are your goals?
Is a blog the right way to go?
TipsHave something to say
Have a strong, clear “voice”
Be predictable and trustworthyFrequency and Content
Be consistentWith formatting, style
Check your links
Spellcheck
What is a wiki?A wiki is a Web site that allows those with access the power to edit or add content, track who made changes, and allow revisions to previous versions if needed.
Wikis are being used to bring students together to build a common body of knowledge!
A highly effective way to promote communication and collaboration.
Educational UsesModel good literacy in both old and new languages
Project development with peer review
Group authoring
Track a group project
Data collection
Presentations
Using Wikis with Students
Reflection, feedback and collaboration
Easy storage and organization
Easy access from any location
Preparing for Wikis
What are your goals?
Who is your audience?
What is the focus of your wiki?
What types of information will you want on your wiki?
Who are the contributors?
How would you describe your wiki in a single sentence?
Is a wiki the right way to go?
TipsAvoid Blank-Page Syndrome: Pre-fill your wiki with content
Make the front page a landing page for navigation
Give users something concrete to do
Make logging in as easy as possible
Get everyone to participate
Remind your users that it’s ok to play
Reading, writing and thinking are what we do in
schoolA continuing curriculum of content and skills
The tools of writing
Lessons in writing content, composing skills, and conventions through:
Examples
Demonstrations
Models