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Using Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Videos in Schools

To blog, or not to blog? It is clear that blogging with students is a powerful tool in any teacher’s arsenal of education strategies.  Blogging is a very versatile tool that teachers can use to: building communities, make connections, check for understanding and network to name a few.  Blogging is not only versatile, but it can accommodate a variety of learning styles. My friend has a son who is shy and doesn’t really like to speak in a chat room or video conference where several other people are speaking.  He does however, enjoy blogging. Blogging gives him time to think about what he wants to say, and make his point clear. He doesn’t have to feel like he’s interrupting anyone. It works very well for him. So, why wouldn’t I want to incorporate a tool like this in my classroom?  To be honest, I’m afraid I wouldn’t check the blog as often as I should, or as often as I might be expected to. I spend so much time on the computer and using various forms of technology at work, that when I get home I like to unplug. I often don’t even check my phone until I’m opening it up to set an alarm before going to bed.  I guess I’m afraid that if I start blogging in the classroom. I will feel pressured to monitor or comment on the blogs during the evening when students are more likely to be active on the blog. I know there are strategies I could use to overcome this obstacle. I could set specific times to check the blog and let me students know what that schedule is.  What do you think? Should I take a chance and give it a try?

Wiki
A wiki is wonderful platform for students to work collaboratively to create, modify and publish a content. It is easily and directly accessible from the web browser and run by wiki software, named wiki engine. What makes wiki a powerful tool in education realm comparing to other websites is collaborative editability. In addition, all changes made by users are saved for the administrator of the wiki so she can observe and evaluate the participant’s activities and provide feedback to them accordingly. This feature of a wiki meets the needs of an online educator when it comes to evaluation guidance in an
online learning environment. The setting of a wiki makes it possible for all the participant to be notified by as soon as any change made by other team members which makes it possible to keep every on a same page so to speak. Overall, beside some minor inconvenience such as having to download some of the content prior to reading or editing, the simplicity and special collaboration feature of this tool makes it one of the most powerful websites for virtual learner across the network. Fore more on wikis follow the what is wiki? link and for tutorial watch how to create a wiki page.


Podcast
Podcast are an excellent way for students of all ages to learn and share knowledge in an authentic environment.  Podcast have been around since the 1990’s but education has been slow to capitalize on this easy, useful, and engaging technology.    Wikipedia defines a podcast as “podcast or generically netcast, is an episodic series of digital audio or video files which a user can download in order to listen to. It is often available for subscription, so that new episodes are automatically downloaded via web syndication to the user's own local computer, mobile application, or portable media player. Podcast allow for student led and/or interest-based learning.  The flexibility and variety of uses for podcast make it an exceptional too. Did I also mention that it was easy? In 2019 all you need is a computer with a mic or a smartphone with internet access. There are many free apps like Anchor to create and listen to podcast.  For more uses and easy podcast tutorial visit Techhub.


Videos
Videos in the classroom do not have to be the ones you remember from grade school - Lights out with students passing notes or falling asleep in the back of the room.  With technology today teachers can create videos to introduce new concepts (Project Based Learning). Students can create videos to show their deeper understanding of a unit. Teachers can create a video to teach a concept online that students have to watch for homework (the flipped classroom) or parents can watch to understand how their child is learning math. Then when students come to class they are able to ask questions about the new concept and are able to work on the new concept with the teacher there for guidance rather than get frustrated at home.

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