Communication

6.2 All of the technologies (slide, wordle, wiki, sources on teachers domain, etc) we have used so far fit into the “using a variety of media and formats” to communicate. The technology we have used so far, specifically the wiki, has given us the ability to communicate with our peers. The only part we have yet to address is engaging with learners of other cultures. Wikis can be used as a tool for online collaboration because you are able to view each others work, post to each others wiki, and work as a team to add/delete/modify a project that is created on a common wiki that all team members have access to. The use of a wiki, gives the participant a chance to work together with other individuals using an online format. A major plus is that you don’t have to meet face to face all the time as it gives people the freedom to access the work on the wiki 24/7.
 * ** How is communication different from collaboration? **
 * When you are collaborating you are working together for a common purpose. When you are communicating, you are exchanging thoughts, opinions, and ideas about any topic either verbal or written.
 * ** How can the technologies we have used so far meet the communication and collaboration objects as outlined above? **
 * ** How can a wiki be used as a tool for online collaboration? **


 * 6.3** __**Communication in an online world**__


 * Karen Razzino and I explored blogging. We were successful in creating a blog and responding to each other successfully. It did take a little while to become comfortable navigating around the site.** **One example how a blog can be used in the classroom is to discuss/review certain text or opinion based material. It is nice that you can comment** **on each others blog, share the blog, and search blogs. A plus to blogging is that students can access it 24/7, and would most likely adapt to blogging fairly easily. It is my opinion that you have to have a somewhat of a controlled environment for students, were the teacher creates the blog and the students respond to it. By the teacher creating the initial blog, the teacher can constantly monitor the information being blogged and respond quickly to inappropriate material and/or language that was written.**


 * The other website I explored was wall wisher. It was fairly easy to use. Some of the benefits of the wall wisher is that the students can post short comments on it, access it 24/7, and see each others post its. The only down side to the program is that anyone can post to it, unless you mark it as private. If you mark it as private only you can post to it. I also had a problem accessing the website from school. A couple of assignment ideas you can use wall wisher for is to create a time line and/or list out important facts.**


 * I also played around with piratepad. I was able to use it at home, but not in school. For some reason it would not open on the school computers.**


 * [|Wall Wisher]**
 * [|Blog]**