Week 3: Blogs and Wikis

From the information discussed this week and from my experiences, I think that blogs and wikis are a great resource for both a classroom teacher and a Library Media Specialist.  Not only can a librarian use them to promote and showcase his library, but he can also collaborate with classroom teachers to create meaningful work for students. I think that if used effectively, wikis and blogs can give students the opportunity to work together.  It can teach them many effective skills necessary for real life experiences. Usually wikis work best in a problem-solving environment or something that requires common goals and collaboration (Schroeder, 2008).  I think that it is important to establish the goal of the wiki from the beginning and making it more authentic and relevant to the students.  I also think that students need to be aware that many blogs and wikis can be published to the public.  It is the job of the educator to create awareness of this issue. The safety of the students should be the first thing addressed before a blog or wiki is completed.   Because wikis and blogs can be published, I think that students will be more likely to put effort into the work.  There is a sense of pride when one’s work is published and seen by others.

I also think a librarian can use a blog or wiki as an aid to his or her program.  I would create a site for my library.  There would be links to my favorite books and authors.  This would also leave room for others to post links and comment on the posts.  I think that a lot of monitoring would be necessary in order to prevent inappropriate feedback.  However, it would be worth the time.  I would also use blogs and wikis to promote what is available in terms of technology in the library.  This would provide easy access to students, faculty, staff, administration, and parents.  Lastly, I think that it would be a great way to promote events such as an author’s day or a book fair. 

The blogs and wikis could also be used as an educational tool.  A teacher or librarian could create a webquest.  Students would be able to explore a topic or idea and create a project based on the webquest.  It also gives students the opportunity to explore the web.  Students would then have to compile their best sources to create a final product.  This gives them information seeking skills as well as the skill to evaluate sources.  The following is a link to a webquest that I have made and used in the classroom…

http://amyhleopold.wordpress.com/

I found this webquest to be very useful when implemented. Students were engaged and involved in the learning process.  Students could also create a webquest for others to use as well.  Blogs and wikis are changing the education world.  I think that they are a valuable tool that can increase student success.  Blogs and wikis are not the standard paper and pencil test.  Their creation can also instill important life skills in students such as team work, evaluation, and analysis.   

Schroeder, B. (2008, May 21). 10 best practices for using wikis in education. Retrieved from http://edtechtoday.wordpress.com/2008/05/21/10-best-practices-for-using-wikis-in-education/