FTR, Wikis, and Blogs! Oh My!

Linda DeanDee LucasCocoa Beach Jr/Sr HighBrevard County

Why Blogs and Wikis

• Blog for student use• Allows for moderated comments• Gives specific structure to commenting; discussion

questions and summary• Teachers can use as assessment • Written assessment as opposed to multiple choice

quiz format

• Wiki for media specialists and teachers• Interactive way to share ideas & plans• Only members can add information• Provides a “green” way to do one stop shopping

FTR Blogs from Brevard

2007 FTR Blog http://ftrbrevard.org/

• Successful first attempt; lots of users • Helpful hint—Be sure to get teachers on

board2008 FTR Blog

http://ftrbrevard.edublogs.org• Changed format by posting the discussion

questions on main page• Hoping for even more participation

A Free Blog That Works

• Edublogs.org (www.edublogs.org)• Advocacy• Approved in our District• Free• Video tutorials• Step by step beginning

Book Review Blogs

• http://blbooks.blogspot.com/--Becky’s Book Reviews—Becky is a librarian (possibly) and the most prolific reader you’ll find. She reviews teen and middle school books, occasionally elementary books. Worth bookmarking. Try this one first.

• http://thebookmuncher.blogspot.com/--Rachel is a teen herself.• http://thecompulsivereader.blogspot.com/--Dedicated to YA lit.• http://www.thestorysiren.com/--Kristi, a dental tech, has not grown out of her

love for YA lit.• http://persephonereads.wordpress.com/--Author is a librarian who reviews lots

of books, not just YA. Says she has discovered a love for the YA genre.• http://teenbookreview.wordpress.com/--Couldn’t find out much about the author

of this one.• http://theyayayas.wordpress.com/--This is staffed by three YA librarians.• http://karinlibrarian.webnode.com/blog/--Karin is a school librarian and maintains

a website as well as a blog.• http://readerrabbit.blogspot.com/--Two sisters, a senior and a sophomore,

maintain this blog.

A Free Wiki That Works

PB Wiki.com• Very educator oriented, lots of

examples to view • Changes in program from day to day

possible• Some functions, such as tables, don’t

work as MS Office products

Wikis in Action

• 2007 Wiki http://brevardftr.pbwiki.com/

• 2008 Wiki http://ftrbrevard.pbwiki.com/

• FTR Committee Wiki http://ftr0809.pbwiki.com

• WebTools4U2Use

Some Final Thoughts

• WE must be modeling the use of new technologies.• We should be instructional leaders• Students need to see appropriate

examples of today’s technology in action• These technologies really do improve our

work and our message

• As you choose Web 2.0 programs, let safety be your guide.