Wikis, Blogs, & Web

PublishingFinal Presentation by

Susan Naples

My first Wiki Experience

This was my first real experience with creating and using a wiki. I wasn’t sure that I would really use it in my classroom since I do use Moodle already. Then I went to the wiki “Perk Up Your Projects” and I changed my mind.

Before I could even get my wiki “finished,” I found that I was enrolling my students, so anxious to share my new tool.

I am looking forward to how it will enable my students to share their 4th quarter projects. I think the Wiki will also allow them to connect to the course.

What was challenging about a Wiki?

Making a wiki is not as “user-friendly” in some ways as Moodle. Yet, I do remember that I was frustrated with Moodle when it was new to me last fall. Each have some things to learn in order to be able to use them.

I also found myself trying other new programs because I wanted my wiki to be even better. So then I learned about added some wordle creations.

My wiki address is https://napleshistory.wikispaces.com/

What about Blogs?

This was a completely new experience for me, though I had tried the use of forums in Moodle. I feel as though using a blog in the classroom gives me yet another tool to engage students in the 21st century.

The students have enjoyed what we’ve done so far and I see very real potential for the use of a blog over the course of a year. Like anything, some students took to the experience more easily than others.

Blog address is: http://ushistorynaples.blogspot.com

Which was my favorite tool?

RSS READER iGOOGLE WINS

It is giving me more control over the information that I want from the internet. I think I will begin each year with my students creating an iGoogle account.

I have already worked with other people, like my eleven-year old and my husband, to set theirs up. They love it. I think it is easy to use and it has a lot of fun widgets.

What about Moodle?

This is my first year using Moodle at school. For me , it was a big departure from a structured notebook that I usually required in my classes. I have learned a lot through the assistance of our tech person, Beth Hampton. I feel very comfortable using Moodle now.

This course using a Moodle was a great experience for me. I enjoyed having time to work at my own pace. It is interesting to look at all the fine ideas that have been shared by my classmates.

Overall, the course was challenging though because I was new to most of the content. I felt overwhelmed at times, but I survived!

What about other Web Publishing Tools?

Short of money and time, I was feeling as though web publishing was not going to happen for my cake business of 18 years.

Through the use of Mixbook, I was able to accomplish something that would give brides access to my cake designs. There are still some things that I would like to improve about it, but I am on my way. The best part is that I did it…with, of course, the help and advice from Beth Hampton.

My web publishing address is: http://susansweddingcakes.blogspot.com/

What was my personal experience

in this course?I have been teaching 34 years

and so I have seen many changes in education over this time period. I am lucky to have been given the opportunity to

learn and grow into using more technology. Sometimes I must be honest that it wasn’t always

comfortable or easy.I was very upset when I was short Act 48 hours and that I

needed to take a course. However, now I realize how

much this course has changed my teaching. I am not the same

person. It was a wonderful experience.