Blogs and Wikis

Collaboration col·lab·o·ra·tion /kəˌlæbəˈreɪʃən/ Show Spelled[kuh-lab-uh- rey-shuhn] Show IPA –noun 1. the act or process of collaborating. 2. a product resulting from collaboration: This dictionary is a collaboration of many minds 1 1. dictionary.com

What is a Blog? Blog is a combination of two words: Web and log BLOG

Blogs

BLOG Blogs are usually owned by one person who makes regular entries Newer entries are usually placed on top of older entries If you want to read a blog in the order it was written you need to start at the bottom and work your way back to the top

Blogs A blog entry typically consists of the following: Title - main title, or headline, of the post. Body - main content of the post. Comments - comments added by readers Permalink - the URL of the full, individual article. Post Date - date and time the post was published.

BLOGS Most blogs are interactive, allowing visitors to leave comments and other message to each other On of the features of a blog is that once an entry is written, it can only be changed by the blog owner A list of the first message and the comments about it is called a THREAD

Why use Blogs Blogs help lead to a learning community where we are all involved in teaching and learning. Homework might be to answer a question posted on a blog about what went on in class. Tonight’s homework will be to post a comment to a blog entry.

Blog rules (they apply to wikis too) Do not confuse your opinion with the gospel truth. You are entitled to your opinion, but it is just that, an opinion. Other people are entitled to disagree. If you disagree with someone, do it politely. Challenge the ideas, not the person. Remember, just like you, everyone is entitled to an opinion.

Blog rules (they apply to wikis too) Stay on topic. It is fun to talk about all kinds of things, but blog responses need to stick to the thread. If you are going to quote something, cite your references. Besides helping people understand and believe what you are saying, it makes you look smart. If you start a blog entry saying “everyone knows”, you are wrong.

Blog rules (they apply to wikis too) Use proper English, spelling and punctuation, especially in a school blog. It’s fine to say l8r when texting a friend, but not on a blog. Remember, ALL CAPS IS SHOUTING. If you make a mistake, admit it. None of us is perfek. Admitting mistakes is the path to true knowledge.

Blog rules (they apply to wikis too) Use your own name or the name assigned to you. In our blogs you will use only your first name and last initial. No alias or sock puppets. If you need them, maybe your post wasn’t all that good to start. Don’t get involved if someone is name calling or flaming someone (or you). This is known as “Feeding the Trolls”.

Blog rules (they apply to wikis too) Remember that all school rules will apply. You have signed the computer agreement, and you will be held to it. If you have any questions, remember the 3 rules: Respect

Wikis

Wikis are like blogs in that they are interactive, that is we can talk to each other. Wikis are unlike blogs in that anyone can change anyone else’s posts. Wikipedia, the most famous of wikis has put limits on this. While I have not, I will still be able to tell who did what.

Wikis Wikis are a way for a group of people to share ideas and come up with one final product. Wikis operate on the idea that if someone makes a mistake, someone else with more knowledge will correct it. While this is often true, information on a wiki should be checked against other sources.

Wikis Wikis are highly interactive. Many people can participate in a wiki. Wikis can also be limited as to people allowed to take part. There is one big problem with all these people taking part in a wiki. OVERWRITING!

Wikis vs. Blogs WikiBlogThreaded Discussion Collaborative authorship Single author Multiple authors DynamicStatic Nonlinear and multipage construction Linear construction Threaded construction

Try it out You are now going to go to a blog and try to log on and send a message. All I want you to say is “I did it.” and your first name and last initial only. The address is Go to the one for your class. When you have finished, raise your hand.

Test Blog Your homework will be go on to a Blog tonight and post. This will be started in class, but finished at home. The questions are on the next slide When you get to my blog spot, click on the blog for your class.

Wikis vs. Blogs Which is better and why? What should we use when? How can we use them in the classroom? What projects can you think of that we can do in class? In addition, there is one more thing to do. It is published on the blog that can be found at

One last IMPORTANT thing