Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms (Book Review)

Will Richardson, author of  Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms, has made it his job to keep track of new web technologies. He examines both their usefulness and relevance when applied to educational settings. Richardson frequently uses the term ‘Read/Write’ web a term that can be traced back to Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the World Wide Web.  The ‘Read/Write’ web describes Berners-Lee’s vision of a virtual place where information, and knowledge can be exchanged by all.

Richardson, a former school teacher, encourages educators to experiment with these new technologies before introducing them to their students. Only by understanding ‘how these technologies can facilitate global connections and conversations’ could Richardson himself integrate these tools into his own educational practice. He believes that it is very important that educators make use of these new technologies, as the students of today’s schools and universities face futures where technology and the Internet will play a central role. Students not only need to be computer literate, they also need to be ‘network literate’.

Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms is recommended to OLLI instructors and students as the book is highly accessible and informative while explaining these new technologies in very clear language. After all, if we plan to stay engaged in the world around us we all need to be ‘network literate’! Richardson devotes two chapters to an explanation, and exploration, of blogging within education. He also addresses the use of Wikis, RSS feeds, the social web, flickr and podcasting. This is an excellent book for a class that is being introduced to blogging, it balances between being a ‘how to’ book whilst also generating many thoughtful insights into the implications of technologies upon students, classes and the world beyond the classroom.

Richardson, W. (2009). Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms (2nd ed.). California 91320: Corwin Press.

Via Meta-OLLI Blog

Mrs. Ruth Kastenmayer & Mrs. Nancy Lambert, Club Sponsors

Again this year our guest speaker will be Charlottesville Mayor and well-known blogger,  Mr. Dave Norris.

We really enjoyed the Jackson-Via Computer Club this year!  All of the members have been working very hard to learn the basics of posting to  blogs. The tasks included writing a post and scanning an image into Adobe Fireworks.  We just wish that we had more time to get it all perfect!

Club members are bringing in some books from home to donate to needy children in our area, and we will keep thinking of ways that we can help those in need.

ABC News has done a series of reports on the problems in Appalachia, and here is what they say:

Central Appalachia has up to three times the national poverty rate, an epidemic of prescription drug abuse, the shortest life span in the nation, toothlessness, cancer and chronic depression. But everywhere in these hills, there are also young fighters filled with courage and hope.

Here are some videos to watch:

• Watch full story
• Find out how to help

Our thanks to Charlottesville Mayor Dave Norris for showing us his own blog, Ms. Nancy Lambert for her presentation on helping the poor in Kentucky, and Ms. Becca Gibson for helping with the technology tools.

We hope that  all of you who read this will be inspired to reach out and help some of the less fortunate around us!

-Blogger RuthK

It is important to help.  Some people are way too needy. People sometimes don’t have clothes.  They are both hungry and thirsty.  That person needs help!
-Blogger jvcc20

We need to love the children and take care of the children. I am so sad when I hear about starving children.  Starving is so horrible for all people.  Children are upset about their lives.  We need to love all children and make sure that they are blessed.
-Blogger jvcc18

There are many ways that we can help poor people.  The people are needy.  People who help are not greedy.  The people are hungry.  People who are poor have no clothes.  People who are greedy do not give to the poor.
-Blogger jvcc17

There are many things that people need. People are needy and need a place to sleep. The poor need a house to live in.  The poor need clothes to dress with.  The poor need furniture to stay comfy.  The poor need food to live.
-Blogger jvcc16

People in Owsley County, Kentucky, were hungry and very poor, but got relief from a neighboring state. People in Owsley County were hungry.  They were very poor. Church members from Franklin County, Virginia, helped by sharing what they had – food, clothing, toys. They were friendly and kind to the poor.  We need more people like them.
-Blogger jvcc15

Have a little extra? Consider giving to people who are less fortunate. A lot of people are poor and need help.  Some people are homeless, but others don’t care. Everybody can give something to help a person in need.  Lots of people are selfish; they won’t give anything to the poor.  People in Franklin County, Virginia, go every Christmas to help people in Owsley County, Kentucky.
-Blogger jvcc14