Week Three: Blogs, Wikkis and Websites in the classroom

Blog

Introduction to Blogging in the classroom:

This You tube clip outlines the technical features of the blog, the purpose of the blog and thoughts on implementing the use of Blogs in the classroom

Blog: A blog is a website that is maintained by an individual whom posts through varying mediums such as commentary, reflections, answers to activities and resources. In a schooling context the blog can be used as a part of an engaging and effective learning activity. Students can use their blogs to reflect on their understandings, fulfil carefully scaffolded activities set by their teacher and to collaborate and guide each others learning.

  

Setting up and posting on a blog is a simple task. The challenge arises when the teacher is required to establish a specific learning task with a clear learning outcome that incorporates the effective use of the blog. The lesson needs to ensure the blogging experience will benefit and authenticate the learning experience. However, due to the multitude of resources available, along with the knowledge learnt through this course, as a pre service teacher I am more excited rather than frightened of embracing this challenge.

The blogging experience incorporates both the Connectivism and Constructivism learning theory. Connectivism is employed through the social connectedness of the blog posts as the students will often share them with their teacher, parents and peers. If the task is designed and implemented adequately, it is through this sharing that the students will clarify resource and extend their knowledge and skill basis.

Constructivism is incorporated through the construction of knowledge and its refinement through communicating and sharing with peers. Students have access to others work, comment, discuss and guide each others learning.  It is through this collaboration that the students understanding are further enhanced.

I have constructed a PMI chart available on my WIKI to explore the pluses, negatives and interesting aspects of blogging in a schooling context.

Please feel free to contribute any thoughts, facts, research and opinions and leave a comment on the PMI chart

Link:  http://elearningabc.wikispaces.com/Blogging+In+the+Classroom+PMI

 Wiki

http://journalofhumannutritionanddieteticseditor.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/wiki.gif

Wiki is an interactive, informative webpage that anyone can potentially edit if the settings are not adjusted accordingly. Wiki pages create the opportunity for many to collaborate and share and enhance knowledge on a mass scale depending on the access settings. Again setting up the Wiki was not a difficult task however the editing features could be enhanced to make it easier for those who are less confident using ICT and to create a more contemporary feel.

Similar to the blog Wikis provide an authentic opportunity for students to learn, discover and problem solve collaboratively. 

The wiki experiences encompass the learning theory of connectivism, constructivism and cognivitism. Students are resourcing and connecting with eachother to deepen their understanding. Students are evaluaing, editing and enhancing their understanding through an online social interaction process just as we did last week with the mobile phone Wiki. Lastly, students are require to consider the activity at hand, synthesise their knowledge, contribute to the discussion and reflect on their prior knowledge along with knew knowledge learnt from the experience therefore reflects the cognitivism theory.

Wikis are an effective tool for teachers of the twenty first century to use. I will most definatley be using an interactive Wiki to scaffold the collaboration of class discussions in both English and History.

Some activity ideas I have are using a Wiki to discuss the themes and techniques used in a text. This will need refining as i am now aware that each activity needs very specific guidelines and outcomes. In addition, I though for history we could use a discussion based on establishing wether a source is secondary or primary.

Wikis are a great way to improve communication skills, ICT literacy skills and learners confidence when required to share their knowledge.

Website:

A website is a collection of webpages that is authored by its creator. Websites are particularly useful as you can embed a variety of different multimedias without great difficulty. I found designing the webpage quite simple and prefer the setup over the Wiki (however, i acknowledge each has their benefits).

 

Image source: http://xyzuniversity.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/membershipwebsite.jpg

I can set up a webpage for my classroom where all students can contiuously access templates and resources to assist them with their learning beyond the classroom.
I can also include summary notes, homework activities, links to you tube clips and games where the students will be able to further engage in their learning. It is beneficial as I myself and the students will be able to access it any where at any time - Even on their phones:)

Websites are extremely easy to navigate. The website could be used as a hub where i could link to both the blog and Wiki. That way the students could have the one domain where they receive their activities and if the activity requires the use of the Wiki they can easily follow the link.

Here is the link to the website I have created: www.elearningabc.weebly.com