www+web+2.0+assignment

As a group:

1. How are Blogs and Wikis similar and different?

Kathy-

Blogs and wikis have similar features such as easy to update, easy to use, and easy to publish to the web. But there are more differences between the two than there are similarities. Blogs generally have one author and are used to give a point of view or opinion. Most blogs are in the form of an online diary and the chronological order is normally reversed (most recent posts are at the top). On the other hand, wikis can have a number of authors that can edit the content that appears on the it. This type of editing is called peer-editing. Wikis also allow more than one person to list their view on a topic. This allows for easy gathering of information and feedback.

Veronica- Blogs and wikis are similar because they are fast, provide open communication between its users, provide the user with the option of keeping their sites private or public, and connect the author to a diverse and large community. They are different because blogs and wikis are used for different purposes. Blogs are generally used as diaries were a person posts entries and others comment back. Wikis are generally used by a group of people working interdependently to produce, revise, or remove content from pages.

Rachele- Blogs and Wikis are similar in that they are both very easy to use and both very helpful in many ways. They both allow the user to communicate with others. Blogs and wikis are different in that they are used for different things, Blogs are used to help or ask others ideas or concerns that you may have, there is only one author while wikis have mutiple authors that help eachother to make something better or to expand on something.


 * Combination of Both:**

Blogs and wikis are similar because they are fast, easy to update, provide open communication between users, allow users the option of keeping their sites private or public, and connect the author to a diverse and large community. However, there are key differences between the two. Blogs are generally used as online diaries where a person can post entries and others can comment back. On the other hand, Wikis can have a number of authors that can work interdependently to produce, revise, or remove content from numerous pages.

2. What type of assignment in your area are more appropriate for blogs?

Kathy-

Writing assignments that are for one individual to complete and that may remain private between one other person (such as our journal blogs for this class) are appropriate for blogs. These assignments can range from poems to reflections on a topic. I feel as though blogs can be used for any of the core subjects (Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies) as long the blog is used correctly. Reflections are a good example of assignments that can be posted to blogs.

Veronica- A couple of assignments that would be appropriate for blogs would be for posting enrichment or remedial activities for students. Students would be able to ask questions about the project to be completed. Students could also post assignments on the blog and receive feedback through the process. Blogs can also be used to discuss books, issues, or current events that were discussed in school.

Rachele- Assignments thats would be useful with a blog would be mutiple ones, anything from feedback of a particular assignments to a discussion about anything that the teacher has on mind. Blogs are great for asking and answering questions, for students to post any concerns they may be having or to give the teacher feedback on what they learned or took from the lesson taught.


 * Combination of Both:**

Assignments that would be appropriate for blogs are ones that can be completed individually and that may remain private between another person or persons (such as our journal blogs for this class). Other assignments include enrichment activities for class projects and reflections on assignments. We believe, if done correctly, blogs can be used for any of the core subjects (Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies).

3. What type of assignment in your area are more appropriate for wikis?

Kathy-

Literature circles where a group of students read the same book and post their views on it are great ways to utilize a wiki. Students are able to view their peers opinions and comment on them. Any type of collaborative activity or inquiry activity are excellent for wikis. I believe wikis can be better utilized in the subjects of language arts, science, and social studies mainly because those subjects allow for more opinions on a variety of topics. Math is a more of a a+b=c type of subject whereas language arts, science, and social studies topics are a+b= c,d,e,f,g... These subjects have the ability to allow students to come up up with more than one answer.

Veronica-

Wikis can be used for any collaborative projects. They can be used to create word problems for math, edit work in writing, produce a script for a play for ELA, or to create tables comparing and contrasting science and social studies concepts.

Rachele- Wikis can be very useful in a enhlish or language arts class. Wikis are a great source, peer-editing is a very helpful way to get help before submitting an assignment for a final greade to the teacher. Students can see where grammar or spelling corrections need to be mad, or even to get an insight on what ideas others may have for them.


 * Combination of Both:**

Assignments that would be appropriate for wikis are ones that involve collaborative projects. Examples of collaborative projects include literature circles where a group of students read the same book and post their views on it, debates where a group of students come together to give their opinion on a topic, and writing a script for a play that features each student for a English/Language Arts assignment. We believe wikis can be better utilized in the subjects of English/Language arts, Science, and Social Studies because these subjects allow students the ability to form opinions on a variety of topics.