2. Forums, Wikis, Blogs
PART 1: FORUM EVALUATION
Two Forums Monitored
A “forum” is a means of an online service that is an open discussion or expression
of ideas. Searching the internet for educational forums was straightforward because there
were so many aspects of education to choose from. The two forums that I monitored were
created on Educational Issues from http://educationforum.ipbhost.com/index.php?act=idx .
The first forum was titled “Special Educational Needs,” which had many topics on the
various departments within the special education domain. The second forum was titled “E-
Learning,” that discussed the variety of topics of the instructional technology tools,
including the positive and negative effects of e-learning.
Why this Forum
I would like to discuss the first forum I monitored explaining educational needs of
the special education department. Whether you are a special education teacher, general
education teacher, administer, parent, and so forth the issues regarding special education
include everyone. I found many other websites however this one was better because there
was more information regarding this topic as well as more recent information.
Examples from the Forum
The educational forum viewing special educational needs had a variety of
important information posted in almost every domain of the special education spectrum.
Sections including inclusionary practices, deteriorating behavior and the community I
found to be most appealing. “Inclusion of a child with Autistic Spectrum Disorders” was
the title of the first section. This included some negative stereotypes that most be done
away with, how/ would the public raise taxes to help inclusionary practices, and finally is
there enough guidance for the teachers teaching these students.
The next section was titled “Deteriorating Behavior in the Classroom,” in which an
educator proposed a few questions to be discussed on this issue. These issues included
“teaching has become something you do on those odd occasions when you are not dealing
with unacceptable behavior,” the zero-tolerance policy and finally what is the most
practical solutions for these behaviors.
The last section was labeled, “Community Support for Students with Special
Needs.” This section I really enjoyed reading about because it look a positive outlook with
results on the community supporting these individuals. Two ways that the community
began involved were extensive after school programs/project financed by local businesses,
in addition to their time, and collaboration between local employers and schools for valued
skills jobs.
Summary of Forum Evaluation
While I believe that forums can be very useful in providing an outlet for many
educators to discuss certain topics, the problem I have found on numerous different sites is
that people fail to keep up with the discussions. Some forums had not been updated since
November of 2007, and in an ever-changing environment like education, especially in the
area of special education, it is very important for everything to be up to date. Blogs can
run into this same problem, but forums are much more collaborative and so I expected to
see more interaction amongst the users. This in mind, the questions asked and
accompanying responses were very valid, but my opinion of the actual forum itself might
be swayed by the lack of updates and/or discussion on certain threads.
3. Forums, Wikis, Blogs
PART 2: WIKI EVALUATION
One Wikis Monitored
Why this Wiki
Examples from the Wiki
Summary of Wiki Evaluation
PART 3: BLOG EVALUATION
Two Blogs Monitored
A “blog” is a Web site, usually maintained by an individual, with regular entries of
commentary. One could be used as an educational tool by having teachers discuss certain
issues that pertain to applying existing knowledge to generate new ideas on a more
personal and non-textbook level.
Searching the internet for educational blogs was trouble-free because there were so
many different areas of education to choose from. The two blogs that I monitored were
created by Emotional Behavior Disorders (EBD) teachers. The first web blog was
http://mrsebdteacher.teacherlingo.com/default.aspx in which a high school EBD teacher
recently began posting her experiences as her career as a teacher began. The second web
blog was from http://specialed.wordpress.com titled “The Life That Chose Me: My life in a
world of exceptionalities” in which a high school special education teacher expresses her
experience as a parent and teacher. Both websites were full of helpful information for a
new teacher, soon to be myself, in the special education field.
Why this Blog
I would like to discuss the second blog I observed. This high school special
education teacher taught students with severe and profound disabilities, including EBD
students. In addition to this teacher’s profession, they did not state their gender within the
blog, only that they were a parent of two boys with ASD. This blog seemed extremely
interesting to me because it is written in the point of view of a special education teacher, as
well as the point of view of a parent. Given the impression, this person has written
consistently since January 2006 about their experiences.
Examples from the Blog
“The Life that Chose Me” web blogger posted a wide range of categories, including
educational technology, future teachers, parents, services, survivors and teacher Utube.
The category I found most important was on educational technology and that is something
I am currently studying in graduate school. This category had a number of posts involving
their experiences with educational technology and resources for others who are interested.
These resources included Teacher Tube, Utube, Discrete Trial Teacher (DTT), eLearn
Blog, Alternative Assessments and Assistive Technology. Next category was titled future
teacher. Within this there were thoughts on recruitment of special education teachers,
materials, resources, support, and testing information. All of the posts were vital to myself
as a useful tool as a soon to be educator. The final category was teacher utube. This was a
helpful blog page designed with resources by videos as well as posts. It included
information on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), DTT and Discrete Trial Instruction.
Summary of Blog Evaluation
All told, the two blogs I chose complemented each other because, on one hand, I
was able to learn from a new teacher, which I will be when I graduate; on the other hand, I
also enjoyed the point of view of the more experienced teacher, especially given her dual
role of teacher and parent of children with special needs. Reading the blogs caused many
4. Forums, Wikis, Blogs
emotions, ranging from fright to excitement. While I felt the entries were more along the
lines of something I have to read rather than desire to read, I am definitely more aware now
of what I can expect in the “real world.” I won’t know how to deal with a situation exactly
until it arises, but I now know some of the situations others in similar areas have dealt
with.
PART 4: PARTICIPATION IN THE FUTURE
5. Summary
1. Standard/Outcome: I.B
2. Demonstrate Mastery: (1) research on existing technology. (2) Use of instructional
teaching models. (3) Use of technology resources. (4) Access and use for information
sharing. (5) Internet resources for communication and instructional support.
3. Artifact Benefit: Blogs, wikis and forums/listservs are important for students to
understand the 21st century skills. This will increase writing and reading skills, as well
as digital citizenship.
Reflection
A “forum” is a means of an online service that is an open discussion or expression of
ideas. A “wiki” is an open and publicly editable web document. A “blog” is a Web site, usually
maintained by an individual, with regular entries of commentary. The task was to
subscribe/review at least 2 educationally related forums/listservs; monitor at least 2
educationally related blogs and at least one educationally related wiki. While I believe that
forums can be very useful in providing an outlet for many educators to discuss certain topics,
the problem I have found on numerous different sites is that people fail to keep up with the
discussions. Some forums had not been updated since November of 2007, and in an ever-
changing environment like education, especially in the area of special education, it is very
important for everything to be up to date. Blogs can run into this same problem, but forums
are much more collaborative and so I expected to see more interaction amongst the users.
This in mind, the questions asked and accompanying responses were very valid, but my
opinion of the actual forum itself might be swayed by the lack of updates and/or discussion
on certain threads.
Overall, I feel that wikis have the potential to be a tremendous resource for educators
and students; however some caution must be exercised. Because they are free and publicly
editable, wikis have earned a poor reputation in the academic world because of the notion that
“anyone” can write whatever they want. This may be true in certain cases but, from looking
at several wikis and perusing the contents, I feel confident that the large majority are
accurate and legitimate resources. I feel that they are great for bringing together a ton of
information and informative links into one central setting, while instructing on its purpose at
the same time. All told, the two blogs I chose complemented each other because, on one hand,
I was able to learn from a new teacher, which I will be when I graduate; on the other hand, I
also enjoyed the point of view of the more experienced teacher, especially given her dual role
of teacher and parent of children with special needs. Reading the blogs caused many
emotions, ranging from fright to excitement. While I felt the entries were more along the
lines of something I have to read rather than desire to read, I am definitely more aware now
of what I can expect in the “real world.” I won’t know how to deal with a situation exactly
until it arises, but I now know some of the situations others in similar areas have dealt with.
Finally, I was very pleased to have learned about forums, wikis and blogs. In the past,
these websites were never part of my normal routine for educational purposes. Finding
educational resources, postings and so forth online is often extremely helpful for new and
non-experienced teachers.
