Module 10

When I opened the property for this Module there were alot of links to Wikis but unfotunetely no information regarding What is a Wiki? I was unable to navigate through the Wiki links provided on the property without understanding exactly how a wiki works. Now, I know I should be all over this stuff by now... but I'm not, so I put my web2.0 skills to use and found this great video.

I then posed the question Wiki or Blog? What is the difference? and How would I use these web 2.0 applications in class?

A Wiki is a website that allows for any number of contributors to create and edit the interlinking web pages, whereas a Blog is usually one individual who controls the content. The word blog means Web Log, or an online journal and a publishing tool. The word Wiki apparently comes from a Hawaiian word meaning quick. Anyone can create new pages and update content. It is, as the above video suggest a much quicker way to collaborate with others.


These two applications do have two distinctly different purposes and therefore you would use them in the classroom in differing ways depending on the desired outcome of the learning activity.


I found this useful outline on a discussion board on the National Council of Teachers website.

Blogs:

1. Are personal

2. A posting is owned by a poster (could be owned by a small groups)

3. Aim is conversation, change in thinking/self/ideas, writing of the moment

4. Content is considered to be static: once posted, the posting doesn't change (comments can add information to your posting)

5. Content is displayed in reverse chronological order and scrolling is required

6. Comments are optional but encouraged to continue the conversation

7. The intent is personal, news, reflection

8. Voice used is conversational

Wikis:

1. Open to collaboration

2. Topics are considered public space and owned by all

3. Aim is creation of documents

4. Content is not permanent, it can be revised by any one

5. Content is displayed in nodes/tree structure

6. Comments are not expected

7. The intent is informational

8. Voice used is passive and active

Both are valid educational tools for use within the classroom. It is important for teachers to understand the features of both and then pick the platform that will best suit the desrired outcome of the lesson.

I am very new to Wiki's and plan to spend alot more time playing with them post the Web2.0 course. They seem to be highly versatile, making them a wonderful asset to any classroom. They offer opportunities for discussion, the ability to post Blogs, a launchpad for digital storytelling and podcasts and allow for skills in collaboration, communication and reflection to be developed.

I also completed some research in Nings and found them to be a great platform for creating your own social networking site. You could have a class Ning, but I think a Wiki would serve the same purpose and offer more features, so I am all about the Wiki! This should not detract from Ning, which is a great way to join an online community of learners to share ideas and resources.

This was a great way to end the course, I look foward to getting creative with some Wiki work, in the latter part of 2010.