Blogs and Wikis in Education

1. Identify and describe 3 interesting/innovative ways blogs and/or wikis are being used in K-12 classrooms.

Blogs and Wikis are being used all over the world today. They are both innovative tools that teachers and parents can resource. I've noticed that blogs are more so places where educational leaders can share their ideas and experiences with.

Blogs can be used for tools within the classroom. Teachers can use blogs as a resource to learn new teaching ideas or format their classroom. For instance, there are various blogs on how to organize your teaching. Educational blogs can also be used for students to self reflect on various projects that they have done in class. Teachers can also use blogs as their classroom website. They can post new information, or assignment information on their blogs for the students to access. Last of all, some blogs have videos of speakers and such. These blogs could be good to use in upper levels so students can experience various topics "live".

On the other hand wikis are used for various resources. According to some wiki websites I found, it stated that wikis could be used for classroom projects, as a resource, for both the parent and the student. Wikis can also be created to have various interactive projects. This way the student's learning could come to life. The most important thing that wikis could be used for is to create a classroom resource for students and parents. Wikis can be used as a classroom website. Various resources that are used could be posted on the wiki, and things such as a class syllabus or course information could be posted.

2. Describe how you might use RSS readers/aggregators within a classroom setting.

RSS readers and aggregators are a very innovative classroom tool. These are used to consolidate context onto on page, this way students do not have to research for the same information on a daily basis. For example, RSS readers could be created so children could pull the information from this reader to create a specific feed. Teachers could use this idea for morning circles. In my practicum class she does a daily news every morning. Teachers could utilize RSS readers/aggregators to compile their news everyday so it could be accessible at the touch of a button. Due to the fact that aggregators update information the teacher would be able to save time to complete other projects in the classroom. It would be more time efficient, and the teacher could even have the job helper gather the feed for the news.

3. Describe at least 2 pros and 2 cons of using blogs and wikis in education.

There are many pros to using blogs and wikis. The first would be that it is a excellent way to integrate technology into the classroom. Students will be able to learn how to navigate a wiki to find various resources; or be able to use a blog post site in order to discuss their thoughts on a project etc. Another pro of using a blog and wiki is that they are fast and can be updated at the click of a button. For example, teachers can update their classroom wiki on a daily basis. This way parents can stay in touch with teachers and see on a daily basis what their students are doing.

Although there are many pros to using blogs and wikis in education there are many cons to the ideas. First of all, parents or students may not have access to the Internet frequently. So, if a teacher posts an assignment information on the Internet the student could have trouble gaining access to the assignment. Secondly, just going on the Internet could be a distracting. For students of any age, the Internet is a distracting place. If a teacher had her class go to the computer lab to write in their blogs, students could be playing games online or checking their myspace.

Engaging Students with Concept Mapping Activities

1. Post a 3-5 paragraph summary of the 3-5 ideas you explored for how you could use
Concept Mapping within your future classroom. Give your specific examples.

Kidspiration allows teachers and students to connect to technology in various ways. It creates a place for students to utilize their creativity and allows teachers to have a fast and efficient way to plan out activities.

Kidspiration is an engaging technology that can help children map out various ideas. One of the ideas explored on this program was the concept map for reading and writing. The reading and writing portion can be used for multiple things. Students can create a concept map that pertains to the book they are reading. The students could create a concept map that discusses the various characters throughout the book. Also, the students would be able to create a map on the plot of the book. Kidspiration is a perfect tool for students to use during reading and writing.

This program could also be used within the social studies portion of a classroom. There is a particular template that deals with various cause and effects. Students could take a particular situation and determine the outcomes. The concept map can include information of effects on people, the community and themselves. It allows students to map out events and the significance of them.

Kidspiration can also be used during math. The teacher could create various math problems or interactive story problems for the students. For example, there is a template that can have students determine how many apples can fit in the medium cart. They can use pictures to determine what the answer is, and then create an equation from the pictures. It allows students to use visuals and be hands on with story problems.

Science can also be incorporated with Kidspiration. There is a science section on the program in which teachers and students can create a template, or find a template that works for them. One in particular could be used in a future classroom setting. The classification template is a perfect template for various activities in science. Students could use this to understand the various differences between the animal kingdom.

Overall Kidspiration allows teachers and students to connect to technology. It can create an effective concept mapping program that can help students develop their learning even further.


2. Discuss what you see as the impact of the use of Concept mapping within your classroom might have on student learning? Give some details to support your statements.

The use of Kidspiration will create excitement within the classroom. Concept mapping that is interactive and exciting will increase student's excitement on learning. Students will have control of what goes in their concept map and can add their own flare.

Students are able to choose various templates, due to the subject matter. Kidspiration provides a numerous amount of templates for the student to choose from. It allows the students to choose the particular template that would work towards their learning matter. For example, if a student was to make a concept map for a character they could find the template on Kidspiration.

Overall, Kidspiration will bring excitement into the classroom. The students will have an easier, and more efficient time making concept maps. They are able to explore the program and discover what works for each assignment. It will enhance the students learning and create a positive learning experience.

3. Discuss some criteria that you would use to decide whether or not Concept Mapping activities would be part of a lesson for your students.

There is specific criteria to consider when deciding whether or not to use Kidspiration. First, it is vital to look at the lesson in general. You would have to ask your self if concept mapping would hinder the child's learning experience. Concept Mapping would only be effective if used appropriately. For instance, if a student needs to write an essay, concept mapping would be appropriate to plan out the rough draft. It is important to access the learning activity and the result that you are looking for.

TeacherWeb Reflection

1. Describe and discuss the impacts your use of a class web site like the one we created on TeacherWeb might have on student learning on student engagement,and communications with students and parents.

TeacherWeb has various impacts on learning. First of all, TeacherWeb allows classrooms to connect to technology. The world we live in is very technology forward and having a website such as TeacherWeb allows students to learn how to navigate the web effectively. TeacherWeb provides various links, under web resources, that allow students to learn at their own desire. Teachers can provide websites that cohere to the agenda and current unit theme. This can provide extended learning for the students.

By creating various ways for students to interact with themes they are learning in class, technology is creating a larger picture for the students. They can connect what they learn to the bigger picture. Rather than seeing they can experience and interactively work on activities.

TeacherWeb is also a fantastic place for the parents. It creates a new communication network that allows teachers and parents to communicate when needed. TeacherWeb can allow students and parents to check their grades a click of a button. They can also recieve the schedule, news flash or any other announcements.

Overall TeacherWeb is an excellent and efficient form of communication. Teachers can communicate with not only parents but provide excellent resources for students.


2. Identify and discuss what you see as the two biggest advantages of designing
and using a classroom web site within your teaching activities. Also,identify what you see as the biggest disadvantage of using a class website for instructional activities and why.

The first big advantage is having everything accessible. Teachers can put handouts and grades on the TeacherWeb and, students can access it at any given time. Another advantage is creating a portal to bigger ideas. With pages such as web resources, it can create a portal for student's learning. Students can explore greater ideas and comprehend the bigger picture.

A disadvantage to a TeacherWeb is time. It takes ample amount of time to create a website such as a TeacherWeb. The teacher would have to create it and update it at all times in order for it to be successfully. The final disadvantage is that students and parents may not have access to computers. It is difficult to assume that everyone has access to the internet. A lot of individuals may feel left out if they do not have technology, such as computers or the internet, at their home.