Bitstrips

Bitstrips is an online application that allows users to create and publish their own cartoons. Characters can be created that are based on yourself or anyone you know... or even start from scratch.
It has huge educational benfits in the classroom and students will be automatically engaged through using this fun application.
Teachers can create a classroom account so they are able to monitor student work and guide further learning.
Students can show their understanding of a topic and teachers can then assess whether theyneed further explanation.
Posting comments on cartoons can be helpful for teachers so they can ensure students have read required information and posted a comment.
I think it's a great fun way to engage and motivate learners.

The Wisdom of the Wiki

A wiki is a piece of web server software that users can place information of interest on and visitors to the site can add pictures, links, pages and edit the text (Cunningham & Leauf, 2002). They have been used by large companies to communicate and generate ideas. However they have become increasingly common in schools and universities to enhance group learning.
The name ‘wiki’ was formed by the wiki creator, Ward Cunningham. When he was at an airport in Hawaii, he was told to get the ‘Wikiwiki bus’, which is a shuttle service between terminals. It was a quick way to get from A to B and as it reminded him of this creation he chose it instead of naming the new invention ‘Quick-web’.
A wiki is not a fully formed site in itself, instead it invites users to make changes, add pages, links, pictures, videos etc. It is constantly evolving and updated, keeping up with the users’ new ideas or information.
A wiki encourages meaningful discussion on topic of interest from anyone on the internet. They can be made to be private, whereby not available to be edited by just anyone. These types of wikis require registered users to log on in order to make changes. This way it can be ensured that information remains relevant and although anyone can view the wiki, only registered users can add to or edit it.
The wisdom of the wiki is that it gives everyone a voice and opinion on chosen subjects. Anyone can be the expert in their preferred topic and edit text accordingly for the world to see. Through the constant process of editing and full exploration of ideas within specified subject matter, users are constantly involved in discussions around the world which encourages deeper thought within a topic, democratic values and ethical use of communication tools.


Cunningham, W., & Leauf, B. (2002, June 27th 2002). What is Wiki? Welcome Visitors Retrieved 18th August 2009, 2009

Why this blog?

This blog has been created as part of an assignment at uni. I am studying Primary Education at Curtin University in WA.
I am researching the effectiveness of students using blogs in the classroom. I think it would be a great way for the teacher to understand how much the students know about a topic, concept or skill.
What do you think?