Blogs and Wikis in Science teaching

Blogs and Wikis in Science Teaching

Danny NicholsonThink Bank Ltd

http://www.scittscience.co.uk/wiki

Danny Nicholson

• Former science teacher

• Freelance ICT trainer – IWB’s / Web 2.0

• PGCE science tutor

Links to all sites mentioned

• http://delicious.com/dannynic/scienceblog

• http://delicious.com/dannynic/sciencewiki

Wiki for todays talk : http://www.scittscience.co.uk/wiki

Access this presentation online:

Via:

http://www.slideshare.net/dannynic

How many people read your last class project?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/78011127@N00/2549672390/

Wikis

http://www.flickr.com/photos/10121378@N06/3183110112/

What is a wiki?

• Very simple way to create a website

• Multiple users can edit pages

• Easy collaboration

• Embed videos, documents, links, images

No software needed…

Visit wiki

SaveEdit content

Edit

…simples

http://www.flickr.com/photos/45409431@N00/3673690211/

In a nutshell….

• Make an online course booklet

• Class project – all working on different sections

• Viewed all over the world

http://ww

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/photos/25796513@N

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/78011127@N00/2549672390/

ExampleWikis

http://scittscience.co.uk/wiki

Scittipedia

http://www.physdom.com

Physdom

http://dragonphysics.pbworks.com

Dragon Physics

http://sciencealive.wikispaces.com/

Science Alive

http://sshsscience9.wikispaces.com/

St Stephen High School

http://district10science.wikispaces.com/

District 10 Science

http://monarchkand1.wikispaces.com

Monarch K and 1

Getting a free wiki

• http://www.wikispaces.com/

• http://pbworks.com/

• http://wiki.zoho.com/

• http://wikisineducation.wetpaint.com/

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Long definition:A blog (a contraction of the term "Web log")

is a Web site, usually maintained by an individual, with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in reverse-chronological order. "Blog" can also be used as a verb, meaning to maintain or add content to a blog.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blog

Simpler:

Blog (noun) a diary (= regular record of your thoughts, opinions and experiences) that you put on the Internet for other people to read

Cambridge Online Dictionary

Blog (noun) A really easy website.Danny Nicholson

Can update a blogany time, any place, any where.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/87793853@N00/2041260277/

http://gillottssci.blogspot.com/

Gillotts School Science Blog

Otherlinks

Most recentarticle

Archiveof olderarticles

Example

Older articlesin dateorder

Why Blog?

• Post resources / links• Class publication• Newsletter• Students writing for

an audience

• Share multimedia• Share good work• Extension material • Support material• Online discussion

• Miss Bakers BlogPost a question – studentscan then answer in comments

• Miss Bakers Blog

Comments are moderated.Only appear when (and if)you let them.

Exampleblogs

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http://www.scittscience.co.uk/

Scitt Science

Provides after-class support for the PGCE students I teach.

http://woodchurchscience.edublogs.org/

Woodchurch High School Science

http://www.beechhillscience.org.uk/

Beech Hill Science

http://mrmackenzie.co.uk/

Fizzics

http://xkcd.com/123/

http://mrkruse.wordpress.com/

8th Grade Science

Blog ideas

• Embed videos and/or pictures to support lessons and lectures

• Provide science resources for students

• Provide links to support information

• Provide pictures related to science concepts for students to view during and after class

http://teachertipstraining.suite101.com/article.cfm/science_blogs_in_high_and_middle_school_classes

Blog Ideas

• Students can read information and provide comments on the blog for homework assignments

• Provide resources for students who need extra help or extension tasks

• Post interesting happenings in class for parents to view

http://teachertipstraining.suite101.com/article.cfm/science_blogs_in_high_and_middle_school_classes

Internet Safety

• Draw up list of rules

• First names only

• No personal info

• No identifying photos

Try:• http://www.budtheteacher.com/wiki/index.php?title=Blogging_Rules • http://tasteach.edublogs.org/2008/05/21/my-student-bloggers/ • http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/sharingpractice/b/blogging/introduction.asp

Avatars

Don’t use real pics of students as user icons.

Cartoon avatars are safer, and more fun!

http://delicious.com/dannynic/avatar

Wordpress – free blog space

http://www.wordpress.com

Edublogs – free blogs for teachers

http://edublogs.org/

Also : Check your VLE

• Your school VLE may have blog and wiki features that you can use.

• Usually only visible to users – not to whole web

• More protected area

• Advert-free

Contact me:

• danny@think-bank.com

• http://twitter.com/dannynic

• www.think-bank.com

• www.whiteboardblog.co.uk

Reminder:

Links to all sites mentioned on the wiki at

http://www.scittscience.co.uk/wiki