Community Building with Technology

Community can be defined as having a group of people in the same place. In this community people can have the same or different interest, for example a group of people who love technology. Lately, that term has been made into a global matter, where people from all over the world get together in the common place--the internet. The internet is a place where everyone can reach anyone at anytime; for example, through email or instant messenger.

I have so many people who have been wondering about several topics that I would discuss below.

Knowledge Forum
-Electronic group workspace that is designed to support the process of knowledge building.
1. What are some features to help build knowledge?
It create deeper levels of understanding, you can also defines problems, hypothesize, research, collect information, collaborate, and analyze. Students can formulate their own questions define their own learning goals, acquire and build a knowledge base and collaborate with others. This type of tool can be similar to inquiry based learning, where students create their own learning.

Wikis
-A type of Web site that allows users to add, remove, or edit and change available content.
1. Why is it useful?
It is user-friendly and a great collaborative tool that students can use in the classroom setting.
2. Are there different types of wikis?
Yes, there are all types. There is Wikibooks and Wikijunior; e-book text for students, Wikitravel, etc.
3. Why use wikis?
Wikis create a real space for students to review materials, encourage creativity and gives students that much needed motivation because it something new that they can use, instead of the textbook.

Blogs
-Intended as personal diaries or journals for individuals to post their own thoughts and ideas.
1. How have they changed?
Blogs have become highly interactive spaces, where dialogue is happening between the author and the responders. Also, the author can link their blog to other Web sites to can help accompany their blog.
2. How can it be educational?
Blogs can provide a rich learning opportunity. Many explorers, scientists, and researchers create blogs about their expeditions or current scientific research that teachers can use in the classroom if their lesson corresponds. Students would be interacting with real people and watching their moves while the explorers work on their finding.
3. Who can create blogs?
Anyone can create blogs. Teachers and students can create their own blogs about projects, research that they are doing, hobbies, sports games, etc.

iEARN Learning Circles, Global Schoolhouse, and Kidlink
-A place where diverse students from around the world can get together to discuss various topics, and projects.
1. Why are these tools useful?
Students can develop an understanding and appreciation for other cultures and perspectives.
2. Why is it important?
A certain number of schools are connected from around the world to collaborate on meaningful learning projects. Student/student, student/teacher or teacher/teacher can communicate to discuss and collaborate on various topics and projects. Teachers or students can get a another perspective on topics and develop a different understanding to broaden their knowledge base.

Tapped In and Teacher Talk
-An online workspace where K-12 teachers and educational professionals can meet to discuss activities that they have done or are doing.
1. What's the difference?
Tapped In includes students and Teacher Talk does not.

Usenet and NetNews Groups
-Places where people with common interest, basically any interest, can chat with each other.
1. Is it appropriate for students?
I would have to say no, students might be exposed to some harsh responses from chatters that can be very harmful.
2. What must a teacher do?
A teacher must first preview the groups and make sure that that group is appropriate for students to use in the classroom and home setting.

I would use these tools in my classroom.
Reasons
1. Instead of sending "penpal" letters to people around the world, students can use the Kidlink, iEARN Learning Circle or Global Schoolhouse to talk to other students from different cultures. They can collaborate on different projects and still learn about different cultures and their perspectives.
2. A teacher can create a blog that students can view from home to know about classroom assignments, projects, homework, etc. I would use blogs with student in middle school and higher. I would not use blogs with elementary students.
3. These tools can help students become motivated and want to learn because its a different tool that they can use, instead of using the textbook for answers. They can explore the tools and create their own knowledge.
4. Teacher would get a kick out of using something different for a chance.