SMART Chapter 7 - Creating Content (Writing)

Blogs are an online writing tool that consist of dated entries posted in reverse chronological order so that the most recent entry appears first, according to the textbook. These differ from Wikis and Web-based word processors in that they are designed to record one or more authors thoughts so others may view them. Though blogs can be personalized, they cannot be personalized at nearly the level of a Wiki, and they aren't designed to record tremendously long documents like Web-based word processors. They are an informal writing opportunity designed to record thoughts, feelings, and ambitions from a person or persons. Blogs can be used in the classroom to help the teacher authentically assess student learning. By having a learning log or a question at the end of class for students to blog their thoughts, teachers can quickly and easily identify which students grasp the material and which ones do not. Blogs have the opportunity to make a significant impact in the classroom.

 

A Wiki is a web site that allows visitors to add, remove, and edit content. Wiki's differ from blogs in that they allow anyone to update or add information, whereas a blog only allows a selected number of authors. It is differs from a Web-based word processor in that they are not designed to write term papers and other needs a web-based word processor would meet. Wikipedia is a popular example of a Wiki, combining thousands of possible authors together to form meaningful information. Wikis are a great way for parents, teachers, and students to share information in a quick and easy manner. In the classroom, students can publish their work to a wiki, which then the parents could easily view from home. This reduces much stress for the student because they no longer have to worry about taking numerous amounts of papers home to be signed by their parents and then have to bring them back to school safely. Wikis allow for much easier communication between school and home.

 

Web-based word processors allow computers to save precious memory hard drive by eliminating the need for special software installed. Google Docs would be an example of this type of word processor, which gives people a free alternative to Microsoft Word. This tool allows a user a create, edit, and store files online and publish the file if necessary. Blogs and Wikis almost always immediately publish material for everyone to see, but Web-based word processors allow an author to keep his or her files secret. Another way this differs from blogs and Wikis is that it allows for online collaboration. A blog or wiki could only have one author working on one document at a time. With Web-based word processors, however, multiple people can work on the same document at once. This, I must say, is a really cool feature. This would be great in the classroom to have a round-robin writing activity. This is where one student would add to a document with a certain number of sentences or lines, then another student adds some more lines, and it continues until every student in a group adds their part. Another way to use Web-based word processors in the classroom is having the teacher view a students work while they are still working. Teachers can make suggestions and help before the student ever turns in a project. Web-based word processors have many possible uses in the classroom.

 

I have personally used, mainly because of this class, most of the tools mentioned above. I have not used a Wiki before, though I have frequently read information from Wikipedia. I have never contributed to a Wiki, mainly because I never felt the need too. It was not because I'm against that type of technology, I just simply never had a need, a desire, or anything of the sort to put time into a Wiki. I will in the future because I believe a Wiki is a great way to communicate with parents and other teachers during a busy school year. The only time I have used a blog before is during this class. I will most likely keep this blog account, however, I'm not sure how much I will be posting this coming year. I think the reason I have not used this in the past (though I've known several people who have) is that Facebook and Twitter have really been the way I communicate my thoughts, feelings, and ambitions to people. Facebook also has the option to post notes, which kinda resemble a blog (thought I haven't made one yet). Finally, up to this class, I have not used Web-based word processors, like Google Docs. Once again, I have always had Microsoft Word on my computer, so I never had a need for something like that. Also, Johnson only had a few group projects, so the need really wasn't there to sign up for a collaboration tool (though I certainly knew about it from friends). Once this class has started, however, I have fallen in love with Google Docs. On my next computer, I don't believe I will be purchasing Microsoft Word because why would I want to spend a hundred dollars or so when I can get the same application for free. I will most certainly use Google Docs in my classroom, and I will use it for my own personal use as well.

 

Thanks Dr. Krug for introducing me to so much cool stuff!