A training powerpoint on the use of blogs and wikis in an educational context

2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEFKfXiCbLw

3. Websites, VLEs, Blogs, Podcasts & Wikis “ When I go to school I have to power down” (unknown) “ Becoming part of the online revolution” “ Instead of making kids power down when they enter school, why don’t we let them use their mobile computer devices and ipods to continue their high powered learning”? Ewan MacIntosh Why not make use of the technology that more and more of our students have readily available and become part of the online revolution? www.geobytes.org.uk

4. What is a blog? “ A blog (short for web log) is a website where entries are written in chronological order and displayed in reverse chronological order.” (Source: Wikipedia) http://teachable.org/images/blog_cartoon.gif Blogs are interactive websites (visitors can leave comments). You can set up a blog within seconds and updating them is quick and easy. Blogs do not require knowledge of html to write, in fact they are not dissimilar to the time and knowledge required to write an email! These websites and any changes made are viewed instantly and links and downloadable resources can easily be added. Blogs may consist of anything, from specific niche blogs about specific areas of interest to general thoughts and ideas that people which to share.

6. Source: http://www.sifry.com/alerts/archives/000436.html

7. Source: http://www.sifry.com/alerts/archives/000436.html

8. Source: http://www.sifry.com/alerts/archives/000436.html

9. The Benefits of having a blog Source: V Vannet – “A blogs not just for Christmas” – www.ablogsnotjustforchristmas.blogspot.com ” Set homework on-line Link to & network with other schools Enhancing Learning and Teaching Follow up information from lessons Communicate when students are away Encourage further research Create a link with home for parents Post reminders e.g. dates Fieldtrip follow up and photos

10. Coates Geography Blog http://coatesgeog.blogspot.com

11. Geography Schemes of Work: http://geographysow.blogspot.com

12. High School of Dundee – Iceland Fieldtrip – www.hsdiceland.blogspot.com

13. www.geobytesgcse.blogspot.com www.geobytesadvancedextension.blogspot.com www.geoblogbytes.wordpress.com www.igeog.wordpress.com GEOGRAPHY BLOGS – ST IVO

14. “ Unlike the formal use of email, the blog is easy to access through the schools website and allows you to view other peoples questions and answers that you wouldn’t get in another form. It is a great way for students to share their enthusiasm, learn from each other as well as receiving additional guidance they may need from the teacher.” Amy “ I think the blog has been really useful as well - I agree - it’s nice to be able to view everyone else's questions and if it is checked it often is more convenient and quicker than email. It’s also a good motivator!” Megan Getting Feedback… So what do the student’s think? “ the blog rocks its an easy way to find all the info you need and if everyone has the same question only one person needs to answer it and everyone gets a response and its just different from reading other our notes over and over” Fi

15. Setting up your own Blog… For the greatest flexibility it is possible to host blogs on your own webspace or pay for access to more advanced blogging facilities (e.g. www.typepad.com) – however there are many great free blogging services available which are widely used by teachers and require very little technological knowledge! In fact you can literally set a blog up in 5 minutes! http://www.xanga.com/ http://www.wordpress.com http://www.livejournal.com www.blogger.com http://www.myblogsite.com / http://spaces.live.com/

18. Wikis

19. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmByB0sIPog

20. What is a wiki? Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiki Source: http://recap.ltd.uk/wiki/Main/Guide The main aim of a wiki is.. The collaboration and sharing of ideas A wiki allows ALL authors to read , edit and write web pages – links can be included to other pages in the wiki or extenal links on the web & incorporate other docs / audio / video etc. Changes can be tracked and who has made them.

21. What can we use Wikis for? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hSzJ0Hj_eo

23. Example 1: Year 8 Geography Students look at Personal Geographies (Noel Jenkins)

24. Example 2: Higher Students collaborate on writing good exam answers