Session+1+-+Wikis+and+Blogs

__Wikis and Blogs__ A **wiki** is a website that allows the easy creation and editing of any number of interlinked web pages via a web browser using a simplified markup language or a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) text editor. Wikis are typically powered by wiki software and are often used to create collaborative websites, to power community websites, for personal note taking, in corporate intranets, and in knowledge management systems. //Retrieved from Wikipedia, April 2010 //

Watch this video to learn a little more about wikis. media type="youtube" key="-dnL00TdmLY" height="385" width="480"

This PowerPoint presentation will give you a glimpse into the wiki service we will be using for this course, Wikispaces.

Read this online article from SmartTeaching.org to get an idea of ways to use a wiki in a K-12 classroom.

A **blog** is a type of website, 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. Many blogs provide commentary or news on a particular subject; others function as more personal online diaries. A typical blog combines text, images, and links to other blogs, Web pages, and other media related to its topic. The ability of readers to leave comments in an interactive format is an important part of many blogs. //Retrieved from Wikipedia, April 2010 //

Watch this video to learn a little more about blogs. media type="youtube" key="NN2I1pWXjXI" height="385" width="480"

Watch this video to learn how to create your own blog using the free application, Blogger. media type="youtube" key="BnploFsS_tY" height="385" width="480"

View this screencast to learn how to create a post on your blog.

Explore this website about the uses and benefits of blogs in the classroom.

**Now click on the Discussion tab at the top of this page in order to answer the Session 1 discussion question.