Wikis+and+Blogs

= = = = = = = How can you use wikis and blogs in online or blended courses? =

BLOGS
Blogs, short for web-logs, are a way to express an opinion or share some information and have students comment on it. Generally, there is one main person who does the posting, while others reply to that post. One of my favorite blogs is The Rapid E-Learning Blog, hosted by Tom Kuhlmann from Articulate. He posts a ton of information and tips about e-learning that are interesting and extremely useful. Check it out at http://www.articulate.com/rapid-elearning.

I've started a blog for the Blend 101 class. I've embedded it in this wiki so you can comment directly from this wiki. Click here or use the main menu on the left. You can start your own blog at blogger.com. All you need is a g-mail account to get started.

Guide to Blogging
Pat Schoknecht posted an article on the Rollins IT Blog about the use of blogging. Here is a link to the article @http://www.educause.edu/eli/GuideToBlogging

WIKIS
I just read a great post about using wikis for collaboration. Each page can have its own discussion board. Who knew? (Wikispaces has a great blog!) Wikispaces blog entry on collaboration

What is a wiki?
@http://www.wikispaces.com/content/teacher Wikis are more of a collaborative tool than blogs. A wiki is simply a collaborative website. It's a great tool to have students use for a group project. Anyone who is a member of the wiki can contribute to the website. You can start your own wiki at wikispaces.com. And you can contribute to this wiki!