I learned how to use a wiki to allow students to compose their business plans at the computer and then peer-edit the work of their classmates. I’d like to view a few sample blogs and wikis, maybe even created by Giles County teachers. I had a difficult time at first deciding which I would rather use and exactly how I might incorporate them into my curriculum. I think students are going to love using the computer every day and the instant feedback they get from both the teacher and peers in the classroom.

The workshop was excellent. I believe the wiki will be a very effective supplement to classroom materials. The blogs will help extend classroom discussions outside the classroom. Students will be able to participate in the course from outside the classroom.

I will definitely use Wikis and blogs in my classroom next year. I hope that my students will be more willing to participate in discussions through this medium. Hopefully they will be more likely to do this type of homework rather than doing it paper and pencil. Thank you for all of the time to actually work on the computer and helping us create our workspaces.

I definetly need to spend more time working with Wiki and Blogs. It seems really vast to me right now. I can see where I can use these resources withing my classroom across the curriculum. I would use Blogs for journals and 'free writing' at the computer. I think the students would be excited to write stories on the computer verses paper and pencil. Also, I would use it for peer corrections and editing. The workshop was highly informative.

I'm still very confused but at least I know where to go to play around with wikis and blogs. Students will benefit through collaborative work (hopefully) and get a feeling of ownership through contribution to the wiki/blog. Improvement to the workshop: it would be helpful to have something written instead of having to go from one page to another. Maybe it's just me, but I got lost quite often. Thank goodness Judy and Lisa were here and so willing to help!!

Learning about some of the other resources available such as PhotoPeach and Photostory, as well as Wiki, were helpful. For elementary grade level, using pictures with text is a strategy that will benefit students who have difficulty reading and writing. Using computer technology is motivating as well as important needed skills.

The most useful thing I learned was how to work with a Wiki. What a great tool for many different areas. I am always looking for ways to encourage and develop communication skills in my students and I feel like the wiki and the blog are both great ways of doing that. Students love being able to use the computer and I love finding ways for them to use it that is meaningful and functional for them. I also intend to use the wiki for the sp ed dept...I think it is a great way for teachers to communicate with each other rather than trying to track each other down when schedules are hectic enough. What a great way to share information!

1. The most useful thing from this seminar was learning to do the Blog page....this will be useful for doing journals and leading class discussions and getting everyone involved!
2. I think the tools will make the students more excited to do and complete their work...today, kids will do more using the computer than pencil and paper...and I think they will enjoy using the computer and won't even realize its work.
3. I really liked it.....got a lot of hands on and exploring and didn't have to listen to alot of lecturing and not understanding it! Thanks a lot!

I liked the WIKI. I think I can use it for with the special education students in my classroom. I am hoping to get them to be able to add comments and to improve their writing skills.

Workshop was useful is explaining what a wiki is and the ease of designing as a tool for teaching. The use of wikis in the classroom will encourage "happy writing" by my students--less whining and sighing when faced with writing assignments. Plus, my students respond well to collaborative work assignments. The only problem I had with this workshop is that I need more time, training, one-on-one help to "get it." It is good that the course will be offered this fall.

Most useful thing I learned was how to set up a wiki and blog to help with collaboration in my Web Design class. My student will like using these tools better than listening to me talk. Love the hands on experience.

Time, Time, Time... I learned that in order to be the Spanish teacher I would like to be, I would need to spend hours and hours a day learning contemporary ways to meanfully teach vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, conversation, culture, current events, geography, yada yada.... I spent time developing a Blog about cultural current events of the Spanish speaking world. I am really excited about this weekly activity to add a current event aspect of the cultural and geography I currently teach in class. The problem is, with each one good activity ~ like the Blog I started today ~ I think of several more that I want to implement........immediately. I love the Blog and Wiki ideas, and I think this will help my students prepare for the online classroom of the future.

Most useful thing: assembling a wiki. Worked pretty well, once I figured out that I had to log in to my own page. :)
Benefits to students: We'll see if they use it. I may ask them for topics they would find useful. A few of my students might really get a kick out of this, but I imagine many of them will ignore it. Can't make it mandatory, since students either don't have internet, or they have some excuse: "My internet wasn't working." If they do use it, they will benefit greatly.
Recommendations for improvement: Free lunch :) Seriously, getting students involved with technology for class is a losing battle. Students either say they don't have internet access, or their internet wasn't working. Good skills for the future, I think.