Wikis & RSS feed

                Chapter four Wikis: Easy Collaboration for All defines “a wiki [as] a Web site where anyone can edit anything anytime they want.” (p.55) Wikis are a tool that everyone has access to as well as the power to create, erase, add and change ideas and topics written. This tool opens a door to the way in which people publish their work. A question was raised as to how do people know if the information that they read on Wikipedia is accurate in regards to the fact that anyone can change it; it was answered that, “there are vastly more editors who want to make it right than those who want to make it wrong.” (p.56) As I read about how an entry was made for a earthquake it made me think of a blog in the aspect that the entry was create just after the earthquake happened; it documented an actual event at the time of occurrence. The difference is that anyone can add information to it; thus adding perspectives from other affected areas, people, pictures, etc.  I have always heard a warning about using Wikipedia but after reading this chapter I feel as though people do not understand the editing that thousands of people to do wikis to try and ensure that the information they are gathering is correct.

                Chapter five RSS: The New Killer App for Educators explains the process and idea behind RSS (Really Simple Syndication). “… What RSS feeds allow you to do [is] to [use] a type of software called an “aggregator” or feed collector. The aggregator checks the feeds you subscribe to, usually every hour, and it collects all the new content from those sites you are subscribed to. Then, when you’re ready, you open up your aggregator to read the individual stories, file them for later use, click through to the site itself, or delete them if they’re not relevant.” (p.72) RSS is not something that I have a lot of experience with; I have noticed the RSS feeds on websites but overlooked them because I was unfamiliar with it. However, after reading this chapter, I think I would try to set up an aggregator and see where it leads me; it seems like it could be a useful tool that is easy to establish.  Subscribing to the right RSS feeds can bring in new hot off the press updates to you and students. Older students might find use to follow their favorite topics for a month and write about everything that happened in that month.

                Keeping Up, 2.0 Style is a quick article that promotes the use of RSS feed.  The author discusses how she uses RSS feeds to keep up with what is going on in the literacy world. She also explains how easy it is to follow and gives users freedom from having to check several sites to try and keep up with the changes, especially during busy days and schedules. She remarks that “it allows us to choose exactly what types of information we want to find and what sources we want to follow, and have all that delivered to us on a regular bases.”

                Digital Literacies is another quick article that discussed wikis as a new digital literacy that is becoming a better known tool. The authors give a quick description of wikis and a quick overview of how wikis work. They also encourage the use of wikis in the classroom and provide resources and websites that are helpful for the promotion of wikis.

                Radical Change and Wikis: Teaching New Literacies is an in depth article about how to incorporate wikis in a sixth grade classroom.  It began by explaining a quick overview of wikis and how the “radical change” created a new literacy.  The article then goes on to describe the study in which students in elementary and middle school use new literacies, such as wikis, e-literature and other software in the classroom. The author shares some of the thoughts of the students as well as the researchers working on the study. Finally, she discusses the process of incorporating new literacies and provides thoughts on engaging students in a new literacies process.

Chapter 2 & 3

Chapter two in Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms by Will Richardson discussed "pedagogy and practice" (p. 17) of blogs.  It stated that blogs are a great resource to have which allow can allow teachers to post about their lessons, day, questions, etc. and receive feedback from other teachers. This is something I did not think of before but strikes me as a great day. What better way to find more advice and answers for your teaching issues than asking other professionals. This can also allow teachers to get another view point and advice from what happens in other states and maybe even countries. This would be a VERY interactive practice.  On page 20, the author bullets "that blogs can:

• Promote critical and analytical thinking;
• be a powerful promoter of creative, intuitive, and associational thinking;
• promote analogical thinking;
• be a powerful medium for increasing access and exposure to quality information;
• combine the best of solitary reflection and social interaction"

I believe that these are all powerful points to consider when incorporate blogging in the classroom.The author also points that blogging is not just for an ELA or English class; blogging can be incorporated across the curriculum. This is something I have never considered before but makes sense. We are urging teachers to incorporate reading and writing to their lessons no matter what the subject so why not put it in a blog? 

Chapter three also raised some interesting points that I have not considered before. First, it discussed blogging WITH students. I believe that students would get more out of blogging if the teacher posts and comments on what students are saying. This can spark a enriching conversation between the student and teacher while benefiting all the readers. Second, it discussed the option of using a blog instead of a classroom website. I think it would be a better tool to use. It seems that a blog can be updated more easily than a classroom website. A blog would also give an easier access for parents; thus raising the question about getting parents, teachers and students all involved with classroom blogging. I think these are two strong points in favor of classroom blogging which open up new doors for education and classrooms.

HOT Blogging: A Framework for Blogging to Promote Higher Order Thinking by Lisa Zawilinski brought blogging from just a communication tool to a tool that promotes HOT skills; HOT skills are analysis, synthesis and evaluation. When blogging, students need to analyze the topic and what is being discussed; synthesis what is being stated and finally, evaluate his/her opinion. They are strengthening these skills in a fun, new way. Next, she wrote about how her students asked to use their blogs in a different way than just writing about the book they were reading. Lisa took their suggestions and allowed students to create a blog solely based on the individual needs of her students. I really like that she encouraged her students to do something different with their blogs.

Denise Johnson wrote Teaching with Authors' Blogs: Connections, Collaboration, Creativity. I was immediately shocked with the quote at the beginning of her article. "Thinking about launching your own blog? Here's some friendly advice: Don't. And if you've already got one, pull the plug." My first reaction was surprise that this was in her article and I was confused. I'm still not sure about the quote but this is what I gathered from her article. First, I never thought to check authors' blogs. I think back to Jaclyn's Children's Lit class and our author study. I chose Mo Willems, who is a humorous children's author, and can picture him using a blog. I do not remember every coming across a blog but if I had I do not think I would have seen how beneficial it would have been. Johnson discussed in her article that authors' blogs are very quick and informational blurbs. These blogs allow authors to connect with their readers on a more personal note. I am really curious to know if Mo Willems has a blog and I would like to check on other favorite authors. I can definitely see how author blogs can be useful in the classroom, especially with biographies and author studies!

Chapters 1 & 10

Chapter 1 in Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms, started out by discussing the short history of the Internet.  It began in 1989 to a few individuals where it spread rapidly to many people in 1993 because of the Mosaic Web browser. (p. 1)  Today in the 21st century, Internet is everywhere; it is not just a place to find information but a place of communication, sharing, uploading and much more.  Page five describes the 21st century as a "society of authorship" because of the rate in which people are using the tools on the Internet to "publish" their work.  The chapter goes on to discuss the place that technology holds in the classroom.  "Today's schools are faced with a difficult dilemma that pits a student body that has grown up immersed in technology against a teaching faculty that is less agile with the tools of the trade." (p.7)  I feel that this quote says it all.  Our students are more computer literate today than teachers are.  In order to embrace that, teachers need to keep up with the trends and research the newest technology advances and how to incorporate them into the classroom or lessons.  With technology becoming more prevalent, it is important now more than ever to make it a part of our day,

Chapter ten outlines ten shifts that have occurred because of the Internet.  I believe that three of those shifts are not just crucial but more beneficial in the long run; these shifts include portfolios, communication and not being limited to just text.  Teachers will always keep portfolios of student work; a blog or other Internet tools will keep that students work neatly in one place, in chronological order and give it a more professional look.  It is also nice that portfolios will be paperless which will take up less room and space in the classroom.  Next, the ability to communicate with others the Internet already has in spades (in my opinion.)  There are so many sites that keep communication open to everyone no matter where in the world they are.  Because of Skype, I have not only the ability to talk to my friend in Scotland but I can see her too.  Sites like Facebook, Twitter, etc. also give way to communication.  Finally, the ability to not only have access to text.is something that creates better lessons.  More and more teachers are using YouTube videos in their lessons.  This tool may be more interesting to students thus producing a better outcome later.  These shifts are huge in social aspects as well as in education.

The article on Blackboard  What is New About the New Literacies of Online Reading Comprehension gave an outlook on how far Internet has come since 1994.  It stated on page 41 that only three percent of classrooms from K to 12 had Internet access in 1994.  It then goes on to say that 93% of today's classrooms have Internet access. Whether the 93% of classrooms actively use the Internet was never mentioned.  But a 90% jump in 16 years is huge.  I don't think it will be that long before every classroom has an Internet connection and soon classrooms will be equipped with more technology such as SmartBoards, iPads and other new up and coming technology.