Web Tools at Work in Your Classroom

Blogs

Wikis

Online journal archived by date

Chronologically-organized information

One or two authors

Website edited online with special features

Content-related information

Many authors

Challenges for Learners

Solutions

1) Interact dynamically

Literature Circle roles (below)

2) Use higher order thinking skills

Bloom’s taxonomy question stems (below)

3) Discuss important topics

Themes based on literature

4) Organize preparation & reflection

Blogs

Roles

Purpose

Discussion Director

develop a list of questions that your group might discuss about this part of the book.

Illustrator

draw any type of picture related to the reading: sketch, cartoon, flowchart, or stick-figure scene.

Literary Luminary

locate special sections of the text that your group would like to hear read aloud.

Connector

find connections between the book and the world outside.

1& 2. Knowledge & Comprehension

3. Application

4. Analysis

5. & 6. Synthesis & Evaluation

Can you list 3

What would happen if

Why/How does the author

Can you propose an alternative to

How would you compare

What examples can you find to

What motive is there for

Do you agree with actions of X when

Give an example of

What other way would you plan to

What does the author believe about

What would you recommend

What is meant by

What questions would you ask in an interview with X about

What is the relationship between

Why did X chose

Advantages

Disadvantages

• Automatic archiving
• Ease of readers’ comments
• Personalized color, style, look
• Motivates detailed preparation and serious reflection
• No cost to implement

• Class time for tech skills
• Teachers grades online
• Security concerns …?

Learners & teachers can

Special Features

Leave comments on each wiki page

Discussion forum posts and comments

Track revisions by person for each wiki page at each “save”

History button: Time of work recorded, revisions highlighted

Revert back to a previous version

History button: No one’s work is ever lost!

A grade work
(above 90%)

Your wiki page

• Clearly explains how information relates to Peace Day and why students included it
• Uses student’s own words and cites all sources in MLA format
• Is well designed and creative
• Is edited carefully and has no mistakes
• Is thoughtfully written and very interesting
• Provides evidence of sufficient effort

B grade work

(above 80%)

Your wiki page

• Relates information to Peace Day and mentions why students included it
• Mostly uses own words and cites most sources in MLA format
• Is clearly laid out and attractive
• Has a few mistakes in mechanics
• Is interesting and well written
• Shows evident of satisfactory effort

C grade work

(above 70%)

Your wiki page

• Does not relate presented information to Peace Day and does not explain why students included it
• Does not always use own words and many citations are missing
• Is not very clear or well designed
• Has too many mistakes in mechanics
• Is straightforward and rather simplistic
• Has not had sufficient effort put into it