Friday, July 23, 2010

Blogs and Wikis – Reflection

A blog is essentially a web log (could be related to a ship log or work construction log etc.) and is arranged in a chronological diary or journal style format, each entry dated as it is created. Blog posts can only be edited by the author although visitors to the site can post comments or become followers. The fact that blogs are automatically sequenced makes them ordered and easy to navigate through. They can be used simply by learning managers in order to post learning materials or like wise for learners to develop research tasks or assessments in a manner that gives them an interactive audience, allowing for the added convenience of communication with specialists in the area of study.

In contrast to blogs wikis are websites available for any author to edit having no chronological sequencing. They are effective collaborative tools and allow for easy access and contribution in research tasks. Wikis can be easily linked to other supporting wikis or websites meaning they can effectively create a network of knowledge. Due to the fact that wikis can be changed by any individual on the net means that they are not suitable for formal assessment pieces but are still effective as a form of informal or formative assessment.

In IDT, the implementation of blogs would probably be a more suitable option than the use of wikis. The applications of a blog are more suited to the subject and easily substitute for assessable elements such as working portfolios where learners are required to keep a working record of the processes and stages they undergo during production. The use of a blog in this situation makes for easy file keeping, also allowing learners to upload pictures associated with stages of production.

Visit my wiki at http://crsmanaginge-learning11001.wikispaces.com/

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