Blogs, Wikis and Sites for Digital Portfolios
These are some sites that can be used to create class blogs, wikis and digital portfolios with students.

Where to start with Wikis and Blogs?
Mindmap by Jacqui Sharp

























Blogs
Blogs in Plain English



Rachel Boyd

Educational Benefits of Class Blogs and Student Blogfolios

• motivates and empowers students to engage in and share their learning
• Students can collaborate with each other, share ideas and learn from each other.
• provides opportunities for authentic reading and writing
• allows for growth as reflective, life long learners, providing for both individual reflection and social interaction.
• promotes higher order thinking.
• Evidence of students' work and learning is stored in a digital portfolio
• Creates a class portal for home/school communications, that keeps students, parents, school and wider community informed about classroom events and student learning
• can open up the classroom to a global community, allowing other classrooms, no matter where they may be, to share and collaborate in the learning

Popular Blogging Hosts
Blogger general

Class blog: 2M Gems
Student blog: Tom's Blogfolio

Magic with Blogs 118 tutorials covering everything you need to know about creating blogs in Blogger
It is Possible to Make That Button Go Away instructions for removing the 'Next Blog' button from the Navigation bar

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Classblogmeister K12 specific
Class Blog: The Kinderkids
Student Blog: Daulton's Portfolio

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Edublogs K12 specific
Class Blog: Huzzah! - Grade 6 class
Student Blog: Bianca's Blog


Setting up a Class blog and Student Blogs great step by step instructions from Sue Waters at The EduBlogger Check out the sidebar as well. There's a wealth of information on using the Edublogs platform.

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Kidblog K12 specific (student blogs only)Student Blogs: Miss D's Students' Blogs

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Class Blogs

• Maria Knee's KinderKids

• Kathy Cassidy's Grade 1 - Moose Jaw, SK, Canada

• Moturoa Class - Nelson, New Zealand

• Jody Hayes Navigators - 10/11 year olds in New Zealand

• Mrs Yollis' 3rd Grade

• 2KM and 2KF @ Leopold Primary School, Victoria, Australia

• Mrs Lynch's Grade 1/2 - Quebec, Canada

• Bob Greenberg's Brainwaves

• Rachel Boyd's Year 2, Franklin, New Zealand

• 7th Grade Science

• Lisa Parisi's 5th Grade

Many links to student/class/teacher/principal/librarian and blogs can be found at Support Blogging

Resources and Further Reading

• 14 Steps to Meaningful Student Blogging Pernille Ripp
• Langwitches' posts about blogging in the classroom Silvia Tolisano has a wealth of information about blogging in the classroom - from setting up a blog, commenting, writing, formatting posts, digital citizenship and connecting with other classes. Make sure you check out the 'Blogging Unit Plan' on the right sidebar.
• Educational Blogging Linda Yollis
• Blogs as Web-based Portfolios Jeff Utecht
• 20 Reasons Why Students Should Blog Ann Mirtchin
• Blogs As Learning Spaces David Truss
• The Problem With Blogs Jeff Utecht
• Blogging with your Students Greta Sandler
• Blogging resources from Web2 Tutorial
• Classroom2.0Live - Blogging with Students - Kathy Cassidy
• K12Online Blogging presentations: Primary Digital Portfolios We Like Our Blogging Buddies ,Kathy Cassidy (2001,2009) Sustained Blogging in the Classroom Jeff Utecht (2008), Learn to Blog, Blog to Learn Anne Davis (2007)

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Wikis 
A wiki is a webpage that can be can be easily and collaboratively edited.
Wikis in Plain English



Popular Wiki Creation Sites


Wikispaces Create a free, ad free wiki for educators here
Wikis as class web pages: Mrs Wojtera's Class Miss Zorzi's Kindergarten Class School Wiki
Student portfolio: Ally's Wiki

How To Set Up A Wiki Site (Updated)

View more presentations from Jacqui Sharp

Jacqui Sharp

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Wetpaint
Class Wiki: Mrs Pollselli's 3rd Grade
PBWorksPikiWiki
Zoho

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Wikis as Collaborative Projects

• Monster Project
• The Tooth Tally Project
• Alphabet Antics
• The Waterways Project
• Write On - The Progressive Story Project

Wikis to Share Learning

• Animals in OZ
• Counting to 100
• My Name Your Name
• Primary Math
• 1000 Names
• 1000 Locations
• Traditions
• Rituals

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Wiki Tutorials and Readings

• Wikispaces Tour - instructions for setting up your Wikispaces account.
• Wikispaces Help - covers many topics on Wikispaces.
• PBWiki for Educators - how to set up an account and FAQ
• Building a Collaborative Classroom - article from PBWiki.

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Google Sites
Class Site: Akerley4


Livebinders


ePortfolio Jackie Gerstein's eportfolio. Whilst an adult's portfolio, it demonstrates the potential Livebinders has as a digital portfolio for students.
Class Livebinder: Maliya's BInder (Grade 3)

• Creating Student Accounts screencast from Alec Courous
• Tips and Tricks for Using Livebinders
• Classroom2.0Live - Livebinders

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Further ArticlesBlended Instruction Using Blogs and Wikis for Young Learners Shelly Terrell and Great Sandler Student Portfolios A prezi by Dean Shareski Portfolios (digital) - Shamblesguru (Chris Smith)ePortfolios from Echuca Learning, Victoria AustraliaePortfolios for Learning Classroom2.0Live Interactive ePortfolios- Helen Barrett Wrapping My Mind Around Digital Portfolios - Silvia TolisanoGooglio