Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms [Hardcover]

Willard (Will) H. Richardson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1412959713 | ISBN-13: 978-1412959711 | Publication Date: July 16, 2008 | Edition: 2nd

With updated research and links, the second edition shows educators at all levels and disciplines how to use digital tools to create relevant, interactive learning experiences.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Hits the nail on the head by emphasizing how technology can be used in ways that go beyond one-on-one student use of software programs and teachers’ use of PowerPoint for presentations. The book emphasizes the collaborative work and learning that can occur when educators take advantage of all that the Internet has to offer." (Erica Boling, Assistant Professor of Literacy Education )

"This is a book that I would use immediately with my preservice teachers or department if I were a K-12 supervisor. Important, though, is getting it in teachers’ hands as soon as possible." (Karen Stearns, Assistant Professor )

About the Author

A parent of two middle-school-aged children, Will Richardson has been writing about the intersection of social online learning networks and education for the past 10 years at Weblogg-ed.com and in numerous journals and magazines such as Ed Leadership, Education Week, and English Journal. Recently, he shifted his blogging emphasis to willrichardson.com. Formerly a public school educator for 22 years, he is a co-founder of Powerful Learning Practice (plpnetwork.com), a unique professional development program that has mentored over 3,000 teachers worldwide in the last three years. His first book, Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms (Corwin, 3rd Edition 2010) has sold over 80,000 copies and has impacted classroom practice around the world. His second book, Personal Learning Networks: Using the Power of Connections to Transform Education, was released in May, 2011. His articles have appeared in Educational Leadership, EdWeek, English Journal, Edutopia, and Principal Leadership, among others, and over the past six years, he has spoken to tens of thousands of educators in more than a dozen countries about the merits of learning networks for personal and professional growth. He is a national advisory board member of the George Lucas Education Foundation and a regular columnist for District Administration Magazine. Will lives in rural New Jersey with his wife, Wendy, and his children Tess and Tucker.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 168 pages
• Publisher: Corwin Press; 2nd edition (July 16, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1412959713
• ISBN-13: 978-1412959711
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 7.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #614,340 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts and other........, April 9, 2011

By 

N Sala - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms (Hardcover)

Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms is a good book on how to use web 2.0 tools in a educational setting. Richardson gives a good introduction to the book by talking about how technology has changed in the recent years and how it is continuing to grow. The idea that the gap in the understanding and knowledge of technology between teachers and students is an obstacle still to be overcome is a good point. Richardson describes the more experienced teachers as "digital immigrants" and the current students as "Digital natives" to describe the gap. This description gives the reader a good idea of how technology has exponentially grown in recent times.
Richardson does a great job in his book to describe and how the web 2.0 tools can be implemented in the current classroom. Richardson divides each chapter by a different web 2.0 tool. He takes the time to give a good description of the tool and how it can be utilized in the classroom. After he has given the reader the information needed about the web 2.0 tool and how to use it in the classroom, he then gives good resources to find these tools. Richardson gives his opinion on these different sites and positives and negatives of each site. This is one of the most useful parts of the book, once I read about the tool I immediately had examples to go look at as I was reading. Many of the sites that Richardson suggests are what he says they are and are very helpful in learning the new tool.
I recommend this book for teachers and higher education students who want to get a good introduction of these tools. Richardsons's book is a easy to read book with very helpful and useful sources. The sources compliment the book nicely and are very useful in beginning to use the web 2.0 tools described in the book.

4.0 out of 5 stars ETEC 551, April 21, 2009

By 

P. L. Ivie - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms (Hardcover)

Very cool stuff! This book inspires me to want to use more technology in the classroom. Having been out of the classroom for a few years, I have not had the opportunity to practice what I preach. Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms has got me excited about teaching again.

Overall, I feel that this book was everything it was supposed to be. Although not geared towards the novice, it was easy to read and therefore could be beneficial to a wide range of people, especially educators. The author covered a good range of tools and practices well with good examples. Certainly a book to have in your library.

4.0 out of 5 stars Just do it, February 3, 2009

By 

P. Harvey "Oriel Infinity" (Victoria, Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms (Hardcover)

Not wanting to label myself as a complete luddite, but not really knowing where to start either, I was really grateful that this book came along. Aimed at teachers of primary and secondary students (I am a tertiary level teacher), it has many examples of Web tools that could be easily implemented in the classroom. More than that, though, it lists technologically efficient ways of organising information for students. Since reading this book, I have created a blog for myself, organised an aggregator and thought seriously about podcasting and RSS feeds. Now I'm on a crusade to utilise these Web tools into learning and teaching activities to make the most of current forms of communication and improve engagement of students. Theses tools aren't just another way of presenting information; they can be incorporated into a curriculum to enhance learning. To do that, though, teachers need to be comfortable and convinced about their use. I suggest you use this book as a learning tool for yourselves first.