Who is using this technology?

Blogs and wikis have been around for a couple of years. I remember hearing about them, but never took an interest until last summer. I met a teacher who was using them with great success.

They began as a great tool for writing classes. Students, realizing that their work was out there for everyone to see, actually became better writers. Peers can see each others work and learn from each other. All of their work is time stamped.

Then teachers discovered they were great tools on which to post lessons. No paper to waste, no paper to lose. A Wiki could house the syllabus and tutorials as well as serve as a place for communication and collaboration. Parents and students alike can access them.

Next, teachers realized they could put their lectures on a blog or a wiki. What better way for all kinds of learners to learn? Text, audio and with a screencast or video, you have three different ways to reach a student. And, if your students have a problem hearing it the first time, they can listen as many times as they want until they get it.

Students who benefit come from all age groups.

A recent article in USA today lists the following uses:

"University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty member Dan Schmit says an architecture professor recorded a "sound-seeing" tour of campus buildings. Students can use their iPods to walk around campus and listen to the professor's remarks at their leisure.

At the University of Iowa: Paramedic and medical students can watch a video that teaches how to intubate a patient, or insert a tube into the trachea to aid breathing.

Georgia College and State University, Milledgeville: The school is a pioneer in iPod classroom use. Students studying abroad can download music, books and other materials related to their host countries.

Drexel University, Philadelphia: School of Education freshmen received free iPods. A chemistry professor conducts lectures as podcasts and uses lecture times for workshops." USA Today

But those of you who are teachers of k-12 are probably saying, yeah, that's great for universities but what about us? I do not know of media hyping its use, but it is out there. This is where it is your turn to get on a good search engine and find them. We have taken Derek Sorenson's class and built a blog and wiki which teaches his 7th graders about these tools. Use this same unit plan. Then create a lesson or two and contact me web2geek@gmail.com I am doing research on the effects of their use in the classroom.

Social Bookmarking-can lead to embellishing a class or the focus of a class in any grade.