Text

Hyperlinked writing is the most powerful form of writing. Hyperlinked works permit readers to connect to the ideas of others, which can include rich media as well as text, with a simple click. Digital texts can be shared online at a marginal cost of zero, making their potential global distribution via the Internet effectively free for consumers. Every K-12 classroom should have:

  • A newspaper: A classroom blog to share updates and interactively share student work.
  • A home base: A learning portal (wiki) to share curriculum and links
  • A virtual locker: A learning management system (LMS) to securely share confidential student information (grades, quizzes, attendance, etc.)

Examples of digital text-based student work is available on SHARE: Playing with Media.

The following free tools can be used to publish and share text online, as well as other types of embedded, rich media. Some of these sites also offer free smartphone apps.

Quick Blogs

  1. Tumblr

Personal / Professional Blogs

  1. Blogger
  2. WordPress.com
  3. EduBlogs (uses WordPress, free versions available)
  4. WordPress.org (free to download and use, but requires a paid hosting account or other host server)

Classroom Blogs

  1. KidBlog
  2. Weebly
  3. Classroom Blogmeister
  4. 21classes
  5. EduBlogs

Rosie the Bloggerphoto © 2007 Mike Licht | more info (via: Wylio)

 

Wikis

Wikis permit hyperlinked writing, but can be used educationally more as “learning portals” rather than chronological sites of time and date stamped posts (blogs.) Recommended wiki options include:

  1. WikiSpaces for Educators
  2. Weebly
  3. Google Sites
  4. PBWorks

Tutorials, Screencasts, and More Help

  1. Set Up a Moderated Class Blog on Posterous
  2. Individual vs Team Blogs for PreService Edu Students (Comparing KidBlog & EduBlogs)

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