Blogs and Wikis for the Classroom and Administration

Wikis and Blogs for Wikis and Blogs for Classrooms & AdminClassrooms & Admin

Web 2.0 @ NUSWeb 2.0 @ NUS

Kenneth PintoKenneth Pinto

Centre for Instructional TechnologyCentre for Instructional Technology

WikisWikis

• About wikisAbout wikis• Wikis for…?Wikis for…?• Case Study – AcademicCase Study – Academic• Case Study – AdminCase Study – Admin• AdvantagesAdvantages• DisadvantagesDisadvantages• Practical Deployment TipsPractical Deployment Tips

About wikisAbout wikis


A Wiki is…A Wiki is…


……an airport shuttle busan airport shuttle bus

Hawai’ian for Hawai’ian for quickquick


WebpageWebpageanyone* anyone* can editcan edit


FeaturesFeatures

• Editable blank pagesEditable blank pages• *Permissions*Permissions• HistoryHistory• DiscussionDiscussion• Hierarchical StructureHierarchical Structure

About wikis - FeaturesAbout wikis - Features

Editable blank pagesEditable blank pages

PermissionsPermissions

Everyone NUS onlySelected NUS users

Read

Write



Everyone NUS onlySelected

NUS users

Read

Write



Everyone NUS onlySelected

NUS users

Read

Write




• IndividualsIndividuals• NUSNET IDNUSNET ID

• GroupsGroups• Exchange mailing listsExchange mailing lists


HistoryHistory

HistoryHistory HistoryHistory


CommentsComments


Perhaps we can Perhaps we can do it this way…do it this way…

Should we Should we change this?change this?

Hierarchical StructureHierarchical Structure

• Nested pagesNested pages

About wikis – FeaturesAbout wikis – Features

Wikis for…?Wikis for…?

Wikis for…? (Academic)Wikis for…? (Academic)

• Group projectsGroup projects• Collaborative writingCollaborative writing• Glossary/KnowledgebaseGlossary/Knowledgebase• Edit a pre-existing article on Edit a pre-existing article on

WikipediaWikipedia


Wikis for…? (Admin)Wikis for…? (Admin)

• Meeting MinutesMeeting Minutes• DocumentationDocumentation• User GuidesUser Guides• Glossary/KnowledgebaseGlossary/Knowledgebase• Planning EventsPlanning Events


Case Study - AcademicCase Study - Academic

CS1105 – Computing & SocietyCS1105 – Computing & Society

• Collaborative Writing ProjectCollaborative Writing Project• Groups wrote on different areasGroups wrote on different areas• Lecturers could see progressLecturers could see progress


Monitoring progress Monitoring progress through historythrough history


CS1105 – Computing & SocietyCS1105 – Computing & Society

• Collaborative Writing ProjectCollaborative Writing Project• Groups wrote on different areasGroups wrote on different areas• Lecturers could see progressLecturers could see progress• Students learn to work Students learn to work

collaborativelycollaboratively• Students learn about using wikisStudents learn about using wikis


Case Study - AdminCase Study - Admin

BuzzEd PlanningBuzzEd Planning

• eLearning SeminareLearning Seminar• Used wiki for coordinationUsed wiki for coordination

• Meeting minutesMeeting minutes• To do listTo do list• Speakers’ bios & synopsesSpeakers’ bios & synopses


Speakers’ Bios & SynopsesSpeakers’ Bios & Synopses

• Different staff handling different Different staff handling different speakersspeakers

• Changes being made to speakers’ listChanges being made to speakers’ list• Various staff needed access to bios & Various staff needed access to bios &

synopsessynopses



Speakers’ ListSpeakers’ List

Case study - AdminCase study - Admin

Speaker’s Bio and SynopsisSpeaker’s Bio and Synopsis

All well and good until…All well and good until…


Email came into the pictureEmail came into the picture


Email came into the pictureEmail came into the picture


AdvantagesAdvantages

• One unified documentOne unified document• All work on same page(s)All work on same page(s)• Always see the latest versionAlways see the latest version• Versions are trackedVersions are tracked• Access anywhere with a web browserAccess anywhere with a web browser


DisadvantagesDisadvantages

• Learning curve involvedLearning curve involved• Pioneers have to start from scratchPioneers have to start from scratch• Not a Not a synchronoussynchronous tool tool• May be difficult to get people on May be difficult to get people on

boardboard


Practical Deployment TipsPractical Deployment Tips

• Project drivers should populate wikiProject drivers should populate wiki• People baulk at a blank slatePeople baulk at a blank slate

• Training for users involvedTraining for users involved• ““Did you refer to the wiki?”Did you refer to the wiki?”• Define wiki rolesDefine wiki roles• For classroomsFor classrooms

• Specify objectives clearlySpecify objectives clearly• ScaffoldScaffold


RolesRoles

• CoordinatorCoordinator• ContributorsContributors• EditorEditor• LayoutLayout• All shouldAll should

• WatchWatch changes & comments changes & comments


Wiki.nusWiki.nuswiki.nus.edu.sgwiki.nus.edu.sg

Exploring Wiki.nusExploring Wiki.nus

• Visit Visit http://http://wiki.nus.edu.sg/wiki.nus.edu.sg/• Log in with your NUSNET credentials Log in with your NUSNET credentials

(without the NUSSTF domain)(without the NUSSTF domain)• Explore the wikis or meddle with the Explore the wikis or meddle with the

Demonstration Space:Demonstration Space:http://http://wiki.nus.edu.sg/display/dswiki.nus.edu.sg/display/ds

Log in to Wiki.nusLog in to Wiki.nusNUSNET NUSNET User ID & User ID & PasswordPassword

BlogsBlogs

• About blogsAbout blogs• Blogs for…?Blogs for…?• ExamplesExamples• AdvantagesAdvantages• DisadvantagesDisadvantages

About blogsAbout blogs

BlogsBlogs

Template-driven Template-driven websites made of posts websites made of posts with the ability for users with the ability for users to commentto comment

Web logsWeb logs


WeblogsWeblogs


blogsblogs


FeaturesFeatures

• PostsPosts• Reverse ChronologicalReverse Chronological

• ArchivesArchives• Categories/LabelsCategories/Labels• CommentsComments• Each post is a pageEach post is a page• FeedFeed

About blogs - FeaturesAbout blogs - Features

Blogs for…?Blogs for…?

Blogs for…? (Academic)Blogs for…? (Academic)


• Recording your workRecording your work• Self reflectionSelf reflection• Peer reflectionPeer reflection

Patrick Janssen, SDEPatrick Janssen, SDEhttp://http://blog.nus.edu.sg/patrick/design-studio-blogs/blog.nus.edu.sg/patrick/design-studio-blogs/

Blogs for… ? (Academic)Blogs for… ? (Academic)

Blogs in English language teaching and Blogs in English language teaching and learning: Pedagogical uses and student learning: Pedagogical uses and student responsesresponses

Brad Blackstone, John SpiriBrad Blackstone, John Spiri& Naeko Naganuma& Naeko Naganuma

Reflections on English Language TeachingReflections on English Language Teaching

Volume 6, 2007. Number 2Volume 6, 2007. Number 2http://http://www.nus.edu.sg/celc/www.nus.edu.sg/celc/

publications/RETL62/01to20blackstone.pdfpublications/RETL62/01to20blackstone.pdf


http://www.nus.edu.sg/celc/publications/RETL62/01to20blackstone.pdf

http://www.nus.edu.sg/celc/publications/RETL62/01to20blackstone.pdf

Blogs for…? (Admin)Blogs for…? (Admin)

• NewslettersNewsletters• CIT, NUS Libraries, OQM, BBACIT, NUS Libraries, OQM, BBA

• Knowledge SharingKnowledge Sharing• Personal DevelopmentPersonal Development• Staff WelfareStaff Welfare



AR2101 – Design 3AR2101 – Design 3

• Patrick Patrick Janssen’s workshop group Janssen’s workshop group made to blogmade to blog

• Document entire project processDocument entire project process• Preliminary investigation and thoughtsPreliminary investigation and thoughts• Conceptual designsConceptual designs• PrototypingPrototyping• Actual building and testingActual building and testing• Setting upSetting up















LINUSonlineLINUSonline

• NUS Libraries online newsletterNUS Libraries online newsletter• Reproduces physical LINUS Reproduces physical LINUS

newsletternewsletter• Additional updates, anecdotesAdditional updates, anecdotes


LINUSonlineLINUSonline



• Students aware that work is publicStudents aware that work is public• Peer/public reviewPeer/public review• Lifelong learningLifelong learning• Encourage reflection & conversationEncourage reflection & conversation• More than textMore than text• Google juiceGoogle juice



• The credibility issueThe credibility issue• Classroom blogs difficult to manage Classroom blogs difficult to manage

if there are many studentsif there are many students• even with RSS/feedseven with RSS/feeds


Blog.nusBlog.nusblog.nus.edu.sgblog.nus.edu.sg

Blog.nus DashboardBlog.nus Dashboard

Runs on Wordpress,Runs on Wordpress,

Hosted by EdublogsHosted by Edublogs

Exploring Blog.nusExploring Blog.nus

• Visit Visit http://http://blog.nus.edu.sg/blog.nus.edu.sg/ • Students and staff can create blogs Students and staff can create blogs

for academic, educational, research for academic, educational, research and administrative purposesand administrative purposes

NUS Web 2.0 DirectoryNUS Web 2.0 Directory

http://http://wiki.nus.edu.sg/display/web2nuswiki.nus.edu.sg/display/web2nus

Finally, a comparisonFinally, a comparison

• Blogs vs Wikis vs Online DocumentsBlogs vs Wikis vs Online Documents• Differences subtleDifferences subtle• Blogs vs WikisBlogs vs Wikis

• Blogs time-sensitiveBlogs time-sensitive

• Wikis vs Online DocumentsWikis vs Online Documents• Wiki is a website, possibly complexWiki is a website, possibly complex

ComparisonComparison

Right toolRight toolfor thefor the

right purposeright purpose

Photo CreditsPhoto Credits• Slide 5 – Wikis | Obligatory WIki Photo by Alan Levine | cc bySlide 5 – Wikis | Obligatory WIki Photo by Alan Levine | cc by

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cogdog/19490596/http://www.flickr.com/photos/cogdog/19490596/• Slide 42 – Blogs | Work by Winston Avich | cc by Slide 42 – Blogs | Work by Winston Avich | cc by

http://www.flickr.com/photos/winstonavich/189032152/http://www.flickr.com/photos/winstonavich/189032152/• Slide 69 – Right tool for the right purpose | Wrong tool for the job Slide 69 – Right tool for the right purpose | Wrong tool for the job

by Turi Becker| cc by-nc-saby Turi Becker| cc by-nc-sahttp://www.flickr.com/photos/turi_b/697794899/http://www.flickr.com/photos/turi_b/697794899/

Thank You!Thank You!

Questions?Questions?

Kenneth PintoKenneth Pinto

[email protected]@nus.edu.sg

6516 15316516 1531

Education

Blogs and Wikis for the Classroom and Administration