03.31.07
What to use?
What to use? I have been asked several times when to use what - although there is no clear answer, here are some tips:
*Blogs* - Blogs are ongoing individual postings with the ability to take comments from readers. This is a great way to journal, reflect or get input.
*WIKIs* - are online editable pages available to anyone given permission. Usually you can attach files to wiki pages and there is a comment page connected. This is good for collaboration. It does not fit the journal model as well as it does a portfolio / archive model. Of course, it is also great for multiple editors of a single document.
*Forums* - threaded discussions. Can be used for the same as above. They individualize each posting, but in a threaded manner unlike blogs
which are sequential.
*Social networks* - combine all or some of the above with many added features. If you are ready to launch your students into the cybersphere
of learning, this is the way to go. I like Ning - but it still does not have a wiki module although the blog and forums are great.
*Course Management Systems* - also combines the above features and adds the ability to quiz etc. It is an online class. My favorite is Moodle
(at the moment). Students are part of a class and can use the forums, wikis, as well as complete assignments. I do not like the blogging
feature presently being used.
There are hybrids of all the above - and more appear each day. The key is to know what your goals are for each project.
Is it your students first adventure into online learning? do you simply want journals? do you wish to attach artifacts? do you want to actually hold your class online with assessment and all? do you want to use these in a more social atmosphere? Do you have the ability to pay for a service or to host it “in house”?
March 31, 2007 at 11:47 am
I think all are tools we should encourage. It would really be hard to say “what’s best”, when I have seen eached used for and each containing amazingly empowering opportunities to grow and enjoy learning, sharing, encouraging…
Currently, I’m really focused on using UnitedStreaming, participating within the Discovery Educator Network (DEN) and encouraging teachers to become part of the same. I think it is one of the most well crafted and dynamic systems for having teachers/schools use technologies that are engaging and empowering… they have great support and becoming part of DEN is full of so many opportunities that would make more social networking tools meaningful and sustaining. It represents the type of experience I would want if I were actively transforming as a professional educator. I’m not sure what is best… but I am really positive about participating in the DEN community. I have create, maintained, administered, and participating in so many P2P or social networks - using many different versions and adpatations of all of the tools/apps listed. I’m pretty sure it is not the tool(s) as much as it is the environments and energy that people can create with them. A good ideas and passionate professional, gathered with a common purpose… and any good ICT tool(s) present a powerful ROI for members. I know the $3000 a year it cost our entire school district to use UnitedStreaming and encouraging teachers in our schools to become DEN members is worth every penny… I can’t think of better blogs than those I have seen managed by STAR Discovery Educators. ~ I don’t think you have subscribe to United Streaming to access those blogs. http://www.discoveryeducatornetwork.com
March 31, 2007 at 3:17 pm
Online word processors like Google Docs might be just the thing for an e-portfolio, as it has the features of both MS Word and wikis. You can add photos, links to files stored elsewhere, etc.
March 31, 2007 at 3:19 pm
Thanks for the comments - my district also subscribes to United Streaming and I find it very useful for integration and other resources. There are great BLOGS there by people in the trenches. I also like to see more direct use by students though.
April 1, 2007 at 1:22 am
We are using Google services for educations more and more. (www.google.com/educators) It includes Blogger, video, forums, email, wikis, etc all in one place. Plus there is now the ability for management much like you would run an in-house system. We’re also using mypodcast.com to store our podcasts, free and unlimited storage and iTunes for distribution.