Blog Example #2 - Pen Pals July 30, 2007
Posted by Matthew Woolums in Edublogs.add a comment
The second blog example I’ve found is to use a blog for pen pals. One class posts to their own blog, and their partner classroom leaves comments. The reverse can also be set up so that each class is commenting on their partner site. Here’s an example from Mrs. Clinton and Mrs. Kunc.
http://mrsclintonsclass.edublogs.org/
Blog Example #1 - Student Journals July 30, 2007
Posted by Matthew Woolums in Edublogs.add a comment
Blogs have been around for a while now, and seem to be gaining traction in classrooms for everything from student publishing to collaborative group work. I’m going to collect some examples of specific ways that blogs are used and collect all of them with the Edublogs tag. If you know of an innovative use of blogging in education, feel free to add your examples in the comments.
First up is Room 9′ Writing Spot. This site is run entirely by students. The primary use seems to be student journals. Their writing is mostly non-fictional recounts of recent events. First names are used as tags to collect the work of individual students. The intent is to publish student work ‘as-is’ so any corrections for grammar or spelling end up in parentheses. Parents and students are encouraged to comment on the writing so the students can get feedback from an audience that exists outside the classroom.
http://room9writing.blogspot.com/
$100 Laptop - Now for only $350, or Maybe $525! July 24, 2007
Posted by Matthew Woolums in Articles/Videos, OLPC.add a comment
Reuters is reporting that the company that makes the XO, the laptop part of the One Laptop Per Child iniative, may begins selling the laptop here in the US, for only $350. The price of $525 is also being considered, according to the report.
http://www.reuters.com/article/companyNewsAndPR/idUSN2336963020070723
Writing Next July 19, 2007
Posted by Matthew Woolums in Articles/Videos.add a comment
EduBlog Insights has posted a nice review of the Writing Next report from the Alliance for Excellent Education. It includes 11 elements of research supported writing instruction that is effective for students in grades 4-12. The review goes on to discuss the role blogging can play in implementing these 11 elements. Both the review and the report are worth reading.
http://anne.teachesme.com/2007/07/19/writing-next/
Net Neutrality Update - July 2007 July 17, 2007
Posted by Matthew Woolums in Articles/Videos, Net Neutrality.add a comment
CNet has reported that Net Neutrality will again be a topic of legislative discussion this year. It provides a short review of the issues, and who is likely to sponsor action in the upcoming session.
http://news.com.com/8301-10784_3-9746172-7.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-5
Wikis in Plain English July 15, 2007
Posted by Matthew Woolums in Articles/Videos.add a comment
If you’ve ever wondered what a wiki is, or why you might use one, there is a great, and short, video explaining everything presented by Common Craft - Social Design for the Web. Well almost everything. He left out the idea that you can have side discussions about the material posted on the wiki, or even more importantly, you can view the history, or previous versions of the wiki and see how it has evolved. Still, it does a nice job of explaining the whole wiki concept.
http://www.commoncraft.com/video-wikis-plain-english
Internet Radio Short Term Deal? July 13, 2007
Posted by Matthew Woolums in Articles/Videos.add a comment
Wired News is reporting that there may be a deal in the works to waive (at least temporarily) a $6000 fee. This fee is in addition to royalties. High start-up fees essentially limit the ability of sites to offer Internet radio.
http://www.wired.com/entertainment/music/news/2007/07/webcasters_face_music
$100 Laptop - Now Only $175, or Maybe Low $200’s July 13, 2007
Posted by Matthew Woolums in Articles/Videos, OLPC.add a comment
I read a short article from Yahoo! Finance about how Intel has made peace with the One Laptop Per Child initiative, which is the work of Nicholas Negroponte at MIT. I’m glad to see increased access to technology, specifically networked devices that connect people around the world. I do think it is a little humorous that the laptop project is still called the ‘$100 laptop’ now that the price is listed in this article as $175. And here I thought technology was getting cheaper, or maybe this is just an exception that proves Moore’s Law. The article is linked below which contains links to both the laptop project and Intel’s version of a similar device.
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/070713/hundred_dollar_laptop_intel.html?.v=6
Student Backpack 2.0 July 13, 2007
Posted by Matthew Woolums in Articles/Videos, Link Collections.add a comment
Readwriteweb.com has posted another in a fine series of collected web 2.0 applications, this time for students. Categories include Office replacements, notetaking, mind mapping, studying, bookmarking, collaboration, calendars, calculations, and more. This collection is well worth checking out.
http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/web_20_backpack_web_apps_for_students.php
Care to Comment? July 3, 2007
Posted by Matthew Woolums in Opinion.2 comments
So lately one of my older posts has been receiving some comments. They seem to be generally off-topic, but not regular spam, so I’ve left them up. I’m not sure if that is a sound blogging practice or not. Earlier there was a blogosphere conversation about bullying in comments, and some decided to start editing or deleting offensive comments while others cried, “censorship.”
I’m still trying to figure out how to decide what comments I should leave up and which I should remove. I don’t get that many comments, so I should probably figure it out in case that changes.
Comment Codification:
- Level One - Obvious spam - comment which sells a product, invites illegal or illicit behavior, or seeks to con you out of your money
- Level Two - Bullying or Flame - comment designed to offend, intimidate, or generate negative responses just for the thrill of it
- Level Three - Self promoting spam - comment which may be off-topic, left by another blog to increase its visibility or number of links back to another blog or other web page
- Level Four - Genuine comment - comment left by someone who has read the post and wishes to leave their feedback or extend the conversation
I’ve made it a practice to delete any level one spam, haven’t received any level two comments to think about, and am sort of ambivalent about the level three comments I’m currently receiving. Level four comments speak for themselves. Any suggestions or comments on how you manage your comments?
Internet Radio Reprise? July 2, 2007
Posted by Matthew Woolums in Articles/Videos.add a comment
CNET News is reporting that a compromise may be worked out for Internet radio stations and the increased royalties that may put them out of business. This is good news for those of us that listen to music that isn’t available on our local radio stations. More info at the link below.
http://news.com.com/8301-10784_3-9738495-7.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-5
