1. Wikis, Blogs, &
Web Publishing Tools
Melissa Hecht
November 2010

2. Questions to Explore
1. Which tool have you found most
useful?
2. Explain some successes and
challenges you have had.
3. What is your take on Moodle and
online learning?
4. Share the collection of your work in
your presentation.

3. Most Useful Tool
WIKI!!!
 It can be used for so many things
 Website
 Lesson plans
 Webquests
 Organizing class assignments & due dates
 Web publishing tool (i.e. students can publish their work on
site)
 Blogging/ discussions
 Can download so many things
 Google calendars for due dates
 Videos
 Podcasts
 Websites


4. Successes
 Created lesson plan for genetic engineering on wiki
 Learned to incorporate blogging as discussion for
controversial topics in science
 Learned what an RSS reader is (never even knew it
existed)
 Trialed new programs like glogster, wix, iWeb,
animoto
 Got many new technology educational tools to use,
but only at the tip of the iceberg in ways to utilize
them
 LOVED the websites, wikis, blogs, etc that Rich and
other students shared. VERY helpful to learn from
samples and have good resources!!

5. Challenges
 Wix
 Spent lots of time only to find out that I can’t upload
personal videos
 Learned it is best only for educational purposes not
personal
 Not sure of benefit of using wix vs. wiki
 iWeb (apple program for web publishing)
 Tried this on my own to make personal website
 Discovered that can’t publish to web unless use apple
program for $99
 RSS reader
 Not yet certain what I would use this for, but see value for
minimizing surfing for favorite sites
 Blogging
 Want to develop more content specific ideas for ways to

6. Moodle & Online Learning
Positives
 Love working at my own pace when I have time
 Very easy and intuitive to use moodle format to work
through modules
 Clear expectations for course completion
 Appreciated no required online chats or in person
meetings, but Rich was available to help as needed
 Liked when Rich provided input on uses of programs
and his preferred programs and gave tutorial/ basic
introductions to programs via websites and videos
 Just the right amount of and effective collaboration
with fellow students via discussion forums (&
appreciated helpful sites other students found &
shared via email and forums in addition to Rich’s)

7. Moodle/ Online Learning
Negatives
 This course had almost no negatives.
 Although there was still trial and error with
programs, there was more instruction and
guidance before starting
 Using technology can be very time intensive,
once it is complete, the product is very worth it
and useful.

8. Wiki
 http://mhecht.wikispaces.com/
 Loved Wikis and thought this was MOST
helpful tool I will use often
 Excellent for
 Lesson plans
 Class Website
 Webquests
 Blogs
 Assignments via google calendar embeds
 Web publishing tool for students to publish work
 & so much more

9. RSS Reader
 Used Google reader
 Not sure how to show it, but did add feeders for
 NPR science, world, & US news
 Educational technology blogs from the 50 top
blog sites Rich provided

10. Blog
 http://mhecht.wikispaces.com/
 I decided to add blogs to my wiki pages.
 I created 3 blog discussion questions:
1.On link to the brain page under nervous system
which is under anatomy. The brain unit is not fully
developed yet, so this is only a part of wiki on the
brain.
2.Last 2 are under my DNA and protein synthesis
link which is under my biology page.
• I thought this would be a good way to have students
reflect on the material they are learning and see their
relevance to today.

11. Glog
 Below is the link to my glog
 It is a model of a project that I might assign my
students on genetic diseases. I will likely
further develop the glog as I design the
assignment more thoroughly.
 http://jayoig.edu.glogster.com/neurofibromatosis/

12. Thank you AGAIN, Rich!!
Although I said it before, I will say it again!
 I have many new tools to use and explore.
 You have cut the world wide web into
manageable and useful sites (which often can
be an overwhelming sea of info to navigate
through)
 You have introduced to me to sites and tools I
did not know existed.
 You are a great RESOURCE and a very
valuable tool for us to keep in touch with.
 Thank you for being available for the course
and after hopefully