Websites,+Blogs,+&+Wikis

Nearly everyone today is familiar with the internet and websites. In the past few years blogs and wikis have quickly become nearly as popular as traditional websites; blogs may be more common today. Each of these internet tools provide a unique way to collect, organize, and share information. Additionally there are many types of services available for each category. From an educational standpoint any of these services provide an excellent way to share class documents, information, videos, presentations, photos, etc. Not only are they an efficient means to complete these tasks they also can be used as a way for students to share their own ideas and information

> Suggested Reading:
 * Unit Objectives:**
 * **Identify** examples of educational focused websites, blogs, or wikis
 * **Build** a website, blog, or wiki that can be used in the classroom
 * **Identify** how website, blog, or wiki can be used for educational assessments
 * Richard Byrne's Creating Blogs & Websites


 * Website/Blog/Wiki Assignment Rubric: **

//All written components should be turned in using a Google Docs link.//

 * || **Not Proficient (3)** || **Proficient (4)** || **Exceeds Proficiency (5)** ||
 * **Classroom Website-Blog-Wiki Example** || * Website, blog, or wiki is missing one or more of the following: Introduction or Home page; About __#|teacher__ page: One unit or topic page
 * Website, blog, or wiki has multiple design errors (dead links or navigation errors), contains or does not contain content on each required page || * __#|Create a website__, blog, or wiki that can be used in the classroom that includes the following: Introduction or Home page; About __#|teacher__ page: One unit or __#|topic__ page
 * Website, blog, or wiki contains no design errors (dead links or navigation errors), contains at least one picture, and contains content on all required pages || * __#|Create a website__, blog, or wiki that can be used in the classroom that includes the following: Introduction or Home page; About __#|teacher__ page; Two unit or topic pages and has a variety of content on each page including at least one embedded item on each page (picture, video, calendar, form, etc).
 * Website, blog, or wiki contains no design errors (dead links or navigation errors), contains at least three pictures or a picture slideshow, has embedded teacher introduction video, link or embedded Google Form, embedded presentation slideshow, contains content on all required pages, and is visually and structurally attractive and functional ||
 * **Assessment Tool** || * Tool is identified but discussion does not describe how it can be used as an assessment tool within the classroom and/or is not at least one paragraph or two minute video clip || * Describes how website, blog, and wiki can be used as an assessment tool within the classroom in a minimum of one paragraph or a maximum of a two minute video clip
 * Description includes tool, how students will use the tool, and value of using technological to increase student learning || * Describes how website, blog, and wiki can be used as an assessment tool within the classroom in a minimum of one paragraph or a maximum of a two minute video clip
 * Description includes tool, how students will use the tool, and value of using technological to increase student learning
 * Write a minimum of one paragraph on how student website, blog, or wiki could be assessed ||

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**Websites:**

There is a large number of __#|free__ __#|web programs__ available to __#|create websites__. They contain a variety of features and each are targeted users with different levels of technological savoy and comfort. Richard Byrne, author of Free Technology for Teachers, has a wonderful list of tools and short explanation of each web building tool. **A link to this webpage can be found here**; his blog is one of my favorites. Possible free website building tools:
 * Google Sites (Accessed from your Google Apps Account)
 * Weebly
 * Webs
 * Snap Pages

Blogs:
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Blog Creation Services:
All of the following Blog services could easily be used in the classroom. Edublogs is the only one that is primarily education focused and has some great functions for teachers (I plan to use Edublogs in my classroom). Blogger is hosted by Google, Wordpress is the most popular globally, and Weebly has blogging features in addition to traditional website features. Tumblr is the "newer kid on the block" and is pretty slick, in my opinion. It is incredibly easy to got a blog set up and start posting. I feel it may be the easiest and has the easiest implementation of incorporating media. Unfortunately the ability to comments on posts is not built into the program.
 * Blogger
 * EduBlogs
 * Wordpress
 * Weebly
 * Tumblr

Examples:
> Elementary Class Blog Example > Into the Wild > >
 * Former Student blog example
 * iLearn Technology
 * Free tech for Teachers

Wikis:
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Wiki Creation Services:
Of all of the __#|web services__ I have had the least experience with Wikis. I decided to use a Wiki for this course because they are easily collaborative and changeable with multiple users, as described in the above video from Common Craft. The following are services available to create Wikis:
 * Wiki Spaces
 * Wet Paint
 * Wiki Spot

Examples:

 * Biology Wiki
 * Spanish Class Wiki

Mini Group: Blog/Wiki Cross-Blend
Mini Group is a new service in which a private blog/wiki combination can be made private for groups. The builder can invite members in a variety of ways: email, Minigroup member name, or create a link to join the group. The created group is private and a user can create multiple groups (great if you teach the same subject for multiple preps). Group members can post comments and upload essentially any file type. Similar to a blog, but private, this could be a great way to have online class discussions. Unfortunately it does not appear you can subscribe to a groups RSS feed. I have not yet tried this service in the classroom but I like it's potential for class discussions with an ability to incorporate media.

Website/Blog/Wiki Examples:

 * Mr. Youngberg's Website
 * Tualatin Elementary's 5th Grade Website
 * Mr. Windle's Website (a very FUN work in progress)
 * Rott's Website

Website/Blog/Wiki Assignments:
//Please embed or post a link to your Website/Blog/Wiki assignment with your name here://

[|Kim McDill's Website]

Carol Rutschman's Website

Michelle's website

[|Jen Cannon's Website]

Karen Scholte's Website

Sheri LeDrew's website

Alison Heath's Website

Website: Joyce Woods

Jessica Blount's Website

[|Harry Achilles' website]

[|Kim Brown's website]

[|Johns web site]