Blogging and Wikis

Our most recent chapters were nice easy reads about using blogs and wikis. While I like this site (blogger) as an adult, I don't recommend it for children simply because it is hard to mediate those comments/ posts. However, I have already been exposed to the wonderful world of kidblog and that is one I do recommend. This would have been a helpful read as we began our own blogs, although some of the information is outdated already- like the issues with spellcheck, I see that Blogger has already addressed that as it is telling me right now as I type that "spellcheck" is misspelled!
As far as wikis go (chapter 4), I actually found them easy to use and quite motivating when I taught 6th grade Language Arts. I used wikispaces and loved it. It was an easy way to organize my three classes, assign homework, and get the kids interacting about books by choice. I have not ever used wikipedia in the classroom as a tool (although I hate to admit it but I am on there ALL THE TIME for personal use). I think it's amazing that we can co-author informational writing without even knowing the other people. But I always question how efficient a watchdog this sight has (how often are they checked, are they checked by actual experts, and just how many people out there publish misinformation for their own entertainment?). The wikijunior is intriguing, although a little hard to navigate and find something I think is appropriate reading material for 1st grade.


Check out this video that says that it is related to our text. It is a neat way to use the wiki program in a classroom with older students. It also touches on diigo.