Wikis or Blogs what is the difference?

Wikis or Blogs what is the difference?

Before reviewing material and investigating the difference between Wikis and Blogs, I thought they were basically the same just different wording.  Being familiar with Wikipedia, I saw wikis as a blog but just for information.  I now see a purpose for wikis in education from various directions.  After reviewing Kathy Davis‘s blog and her Flat Classroom Project.  I see wikis as a global collaboration site.  As a social studies teacher and with a background in travel having my students working with other student around the world to solve real world issues, I see wikis as the venue for this type of collaboration.

Along with being a collaboration tool, wikis are a tool to build digital citizenship and resource tools.  Richardson states “Give students editorial control can imbue in them sense of responsibility” (Richardson, 2010, pg.61).  I have never been a fan of Wikipedia or allowed it as a research tool. However, the use of wikis can be used to teach students proper use and what must be validate in Wikipedia in research.  The use of wikis allows greater understanding of Wikipedia and how and when to use it (Richardson, pg.59).

In my classroom along with building global collaboration with wikis, I would like to use other ideas I reviewed.  My classes have used QR codes to create digital time lines, the idea of using QR codes embedded into a wiki as a scavenger hunt for review as used in Jennifer Barnett’s classroom is an idea I am quite interested in.  This integrates technology in various forms and is student centered.  Vicki Davis’ student’s study hall is also an easy integration of technology and student centered and driven.  What greater way then having students to create something that serves a purpose and meaning to them and their fellow students and can improve student achievement.

So after much review, there is a difference between a Wiki and a Blog but both have a purpose in education.

Richardson, W. (2010). Blogs, wikis, podcasts, and other powerful web tools for classrooms. (3rd ed.).    Thousand Oak, California: Corwin.