The Use of Blogs and Wikis in the Classroom

Blogs can be very beneficial as a technology tool to use in the classroom. They allow for students to really take the time to reflect on what they have learned. Blogs can also be a good writing tool for teachers to utilize in the classroom. Instead of having students write in a journal or a diary, or write their opinion about a specific topic on a piece of paper, teachers can have students create their own blog and post their opinions or journal entries there. Collaboration between students, and also between the students and the teacher, can also occur because you can view other people's blogs and then leave comments at the bottom. Discussions between students and between students and the teacher can occur this way. Blogs are also useful in a classroom setting because they can act as a way to motivate students, since they are a unique kind of assignment that allows for freedom and individuality. They can also enhance students creative and writing abilities. Teachers could also utilize blogs as a way of communicating with both the students and their parents. They could create a classroom blog where they post information about what the students are learning, class assignments, or events that may be happening. Wikis are another beneficial technology tool to use in the classroom. Wikis also allow for collaboration to occur, and these can be especially useful for group projects or activities. Technology should be utilized in the classroom as a way to enhance the learning experience for students. It also allows for collaboration, and for a different, more informal communication process to occur.