What’s the Big Deal?

What’s the Big Deal? All about Wikis, Blogs, Podcasts, Chat Rooms and Discussion Boards

Wikis • A Wiki is designed to allow people to create and edit web pages without using HTML. An online collaborative environment that anyone can edit. • ANYONE can write, edit and post information to a wiki. • Wikis can be vandalized by hackers easily. • Wikipedia is well known example of a wiki. • Example: • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dnL00TdmLY

How to add to a wiki page….. • Your teacher asked you to update a page of your classroom wiki. • You should do the following steps: • Navigate to the wiki page • Click the edit button • Write and edit the wiki page • Proofread your work • Save the changes

Example of how your class could use a wiki: • You and your classmates each research different animals found in the rainforest. Your teacher has asked you to organize the information to share with students from all over the world. Which of the following if the best solution? • Take everyone’s reports and copy and paste the text into one e-mail so you can send it to anyone who contacts you. • Create a slideshow presentation with information about each animal and put it on a flash drive. • Set up a wiki and dedicate one page to each animal, and then publish the wiki on the web. • Create a group pod cast in which each classmate talks about his or her animal and then save it to the Desktop

FACT OR FICTION • All information found on Wikis is true and accurate. • Why or why not?

Blogs • Blogs are specialized web sites that allow people to share on-line journals and post entries. • Blog – an online journal with regular updates on a certain topic or interest. • Example: • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NN2I1pWXjXI

When could I use a Blog? • What is the best way to keep classmates updated about class projects? • Create a class blog • Create a newsletter in a word processor and print enough for the class. • Create an assignments database and save it on the Desktop. • Create a pod cast and download it to your iPod.

Using your manners with Blogs • One of your classmates has a blog that has mean and insulting posts about classmates and teachers. What should you do? • a. Do nothing since it is not your blog. • b. Post comments on the blog. • c. Talk to a parent or teacher. • d. Try to find the user name and password so you can delete the comments.

Pod cast • Pod casts are media files either audio or video that are released over the web in episodes. • Pod cast – An online audio or video file that can be downloaded for listening or viewing at any time. Example: • http://ncmiddlechoral.podomatic.com

Steps for Creating a Pod cast: • 1. Plan the content of your pod cast. • 2. Set up recording software. • 3. Record Your Pod cast. • 4. Edit and Save Your Pod cast. • 5. Publish Your Pod cast.

Chat Rooms and Discussion Boards • Chat Room – an online forum that allows real-time communication. • Discussion board – An online forum where users post ongoing comments to discuss a certain topic or interest.

WHICH IS WHICH? • To communicate with a pen pal in real time which of the following online tools could you use? • a. Blogs • b. e-mail • c. Pod casts • d. chat rooms • e. instant messaging

Match each task with the most appropriate Software Application. • a. Audio Editing • b. Word Processor application • c. Spreadsheet application • d. Presentation application • Creating an electronic slideshow • Creating a chart • Creating a pod cast • Composing a letter

All of these factors are important when you are evaluating the effectiveness of a web site: • Authority • Timeliness • Purpose • Content • Site design

Which of the following closings would be appropriate in an e-mail to your teacher? • a. k! Ttyl, • b. Thnx – see you Monday! • c. L8TR • d. Thank you for your help. • e. C-ya

What’s the Big Deal?