Blogs Vs Wikis

This week I have been exploring the concept of Wikis and their comparison to Blogs.  I have created my first Wikispace, please click on the following link to view it. http://carlascoursewiki.wikispaces.com/  

A Wiki has an open style which can be constructive for collaborative projects. A Blog mainly aids general discussion or brainstorming. With both in mind they can be used to appropriately suit educational purposes.  

A Wiki limits which users can login and edit the content. The main difference between a Wiki and a Blog becomes the layout and organisation of content and resources posted. A Wiki is continually modifiable and an easy-access web page, while a Blog contains a more journalistic format which categorises dates of content so the views can see the expansion of ideas related to the Blog topic in question.

Both Wikis and Blogs range vastly in the area of educational usage. You can create a Wiki for class attendance sheets, information research tasks, discussions for class assessment material, etc. Although both Blogs and Wikis are extremely practical for schooling environments, the construction of a lesson needs to be engaging and some teachers can create a magnificent lesson with all students engaged in a positive learning experience without using any form of technology.

Please visit this excellent resource: 50 Ways to Use Wikis for a More Collaborative and Interactive Classroom, to enhance your understanding of the benefits Wikis can bring to education. http://www.smartteaching.org/blog/2008/08/50-ways-to-use-wikis-for-a-more-collaborative-and-interactive-classroom/

References:

Teaching.org, S. (2010). Smart Teaching. Retrieved November 7, 2010, from 50 Ways to Use Wikis for a More Collaborative and Interactive Classroom: http://www.smartteaching.org/blog/2008/08/50-ways-to-use-wikis-for-a-more-collaborative-and-interactive-classroom/

How would a Blog be useful in your teaching context?

A Blog is a website, usually maintained by someone who updates with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or graphics, videos, etc. This website obtains the ability for readers to leave comments in an interactive form of communication. This concept would be rather useful with teaching, as Learning Managers can post an idea or a concept relative to an area currently being studied. Then they are able to track understanding of students who reply with statements and input towards the original blog.

This is a great tool for enforcing collaborate learning within a school environment. Students would build relationships by participating in discussions with one another. Numerous researchers have found that students work more effectively and have a higher understanding of material when taught in a collaborative environment (Brady, 2006). Using a Blog in any teaching context would also enable cognitive learning which once again would benefit the learners.

Prensky (2005) claims that “if you cannot engage young people in education then you will enrage them”. What is more engaging to a young person then using the internet to discuss things with other young people? With technology vastly becoming a vital aspect of life, it is essential that students are given the opportunity to learn about computers and the internet and are taught how to use these resources effectively. By using a Blog in a teaching context, you would accomplish a valuable and productive way of learning.

References

Brady, L. (2006). Collaborative Learing in Action. Frenchs Forest: Pearson Education Australia.

Prensky, M. (n.d.). Engage me or Engrage me. Retrieved 11 3, 2010, from http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2008/02/28/engage-me-or-enrage-me-educating-todays-digital-native-learners-2/