Choosing One
Digital Storytelling created a visual timeline of a personal event from the author's life. Wikis create a place for students to work collaboratively, and create a project of various different styles. Blogs allow for that same collaboration, but also have a great format for a discussion site.
If you were asked to choose just one, what would you choose as the most effective tool in the classroom?
I really like blogs because of how simple they are and digital storytelling because I love slide shows and how powerful they can be. With that said, I would have to say wikis are probably the one I would say is most effective. I love the organization of wikis and the different tabs you can add. I also like that you can choose which pages are locked and which ones can be modified by users. I really enjoyed using wikis and think it would be a very useful tool for teachers, students and parents.
ReplyDeleteI think I would have to choose blogs. They are extremely simple to use and would be the easiest to use in my classroom. It would also be a tool that could be completed in a whole group setting which is necessary for my preschoolers. I also think it would be the most useful tool for parent/teacher contact. I could display students' work, upcoming events, goals and objectives, and parents could comment back with questions or their input. I feel that a blog would be a usable resource for students, parents, and me.
ReplyDeleteI also think that the two most effective would be wikis and blogs. I think that they both have their own important characteristics and can be used for different tasks. I think that the most effective tool in a lower grade would be the blog due to the ease of access. I think that it is a good starting point for students who are just starting off in using online software. After students have gotten their "feet wet" in the world of online software, I think that the next step is wikispaces. Like Margaret stated, the options given by wikispaces allow for the project to be more effective, but I think that some aspects would be confusing for new users. Therefore, in order to refrain from overwhelming students are new to internet usage, I think that it would be better to start with the blogs.
ReplyDeleteI would choose Digital Storytelling for most effective in the classroom. I personally like Digital Storytelling even though in my opinion it was the most difficult to create. Digital Storytelling is one of those types of technology that can be used across the board. Each subject is able to use it. For example, in Social Studies students can review a world event and use music and pictures to depict that event from their view. In Reading, students can use a story being read in class to create an alternate ending or just use pictures to recreate the story in the own views.
ReplyDeleteI would have to say that I would choose Wikis. I love the level of collaboration that is possible and the record of changes would help in assessment. I think they would be the most useful in my classrooms when I start teaching. I will be teaching high school and I think they will be old enough to pick up and run with the software. I agree with Lauren that it might be more difficult for younger students, but mine will be high school aged kids.
ReplyDeleteThis is an excellent use of a weblog to encourage discussion with colleagues. And, as I remarked in an earlier posting, I am also very pleased to see such interest in the use of the tools and technologies that are the focus of this course.
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