Technology Update
Wikis, blogs, RSS all part of new Web 2.0 paradigm shift
Blogs, wikis, RSS feeds and other new technology are all part of a paradigm shift, says online media expert Les Howles of the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Howles and four of his colleagues spoke at a recent LERN conference on teaching and learning.
“Web 2.0 is accelerating the relationships between people and technology,” Howles noted. He defined Web 2.0 as tools you and your students use in the creation of content. So customers, in this case your learners, become creators of content, not just passive recipients of information. “Think of us as creators and contributors of content as students and you,” says Howles.
Here’s a run-down of Howles’ technology update.
WikisA wiki is a web page with an edit button so that anyone can add or edit content on the page. It facilitates collaborative web publishing. The audience has control over the organization, structure and content. It works with simplified mark-up language and plain text editing.
To get started, check out http://wikispaces.org; http://wikia.com; and http://jot.com
Wikis usesFor teaching and learning, wikis can be used to establish a collaborative writing context with several contributors. Teachers often set-up the structure and encourage collaboration. Course group projects, group knowledge building, and research projects are all possible uses of wikis.
BlogsBlogs are quick and easy online journaling. The author provides commentary or news on a particular topic. You can add pictures, even links to audio and video clips. Other people can add comments after each article or blog entry. Blogs can be searched by Google, and you can link to other blogs.
It works by subscribing to a blogging software service. Set up is easy and graphically pleasing. The service even keeps records of how many people view the blog every day.
Check out http://blogger.com, http://wordpress.com; and http://typepad.com
Blog uses For teaching and learning, blogs can be used as:- Team class blogs- Reflections on readings and projects- Instructor course related blogs- Links to relevant news
RSS FeedsRSS stands for “really simple syndication” but it isn’t all that simple. It is essentially a way for you to subscribe or get news or audio clips when they become available. An news source, blogger, or other kind of author creates the availability for you to get their article, audio or video automatically downloaded to your computer whenever a new one is produced. You subscribe at their site. When a new article or audio is created, it automatically downloads to your computer as soon as you access the Internet. You can store the audio programs as long as you want and listen to them later, thus saving audio programs.
To get started, check out http://www.rssowl.org; or www.mozilla.com/thunderbird/For online aggregators, http://feedburner.com and http://google.com/reader/
RSS usesFor teaching and learning, RSS feeds can be used to alert students to new updates, notify learners of updates, send notices about course related blogs and wikis, and send out course podcasts to participants.
PodcastingAudio and media files are downloaded to your computer as soon as they are created. Then you can transfer them to an MP3 player like an iPod. It’s “radio-like” programming, and offers the potential for mobile learning.
The producer of the audio file uploads the audio to a server. The listener subscribes to the audio program using the RSS feed software on the producer’s site. As soon as the audio program is produced, it automatically downloads to your computer as soon as you log onto the Internet. Then you can transfer it to an iPod or other portable device.
To get started, see http://engage.doit.wisc.edu/podcasting
Podcasting usesFor teaching and learning, teachers can send out audio interviews and lectures. Teachers can elaborate and explain difficult concepts, do an overview of topics to be covered in a course, incorporate multiple viewpoints, and coach students through assignments.
VoIPVoice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is routing of phone voice conversations over the Internet. It is an alternative medium, and much cheaper, especially for overseas calls.
VoIP is used in gaming a lot, because the players are all over the world. A broadband Internet connection is required. Various companies provide VoIP services. Plus VoIP can accommodate two or more parties, so conference calls are inexpensive.
To get started, see www.skype.com; www.google.com/talk/; www.horizonwimba.com/;www.goteamspeak.com/ and www.ventrilo.com
VoIP usesFor teaching and learning, VoIP can do audio and video presentations and group projects and meetings with people from all over the world. Language instruction, group learning, research projects, conference calls, guest speakers are all uses.
Thanks to these contributors. John Thompson, on wikis and blogs info. Dirk Herr-Hoyman on RSS feeds. Jan Cheetham on Podcasting. Peter Burke on VoIP. And Les Howles.