Tools and Resources relating to: Blogs and Wikis

  • Wikimedia Commons - Wikimedia Commons is a media file repository making available public domain and freely licensed educational media content (images, sound and video clips) to everyone, in their own language. It acts as a common repository for the various projects of the Wikimedia Foundation. The repository is created and maintained by volunteers. The scope of Commons is set out on the project scope pages.   Wikimedia Commons
  • Jimdo - Jimdo provides two products including the standard editor, Jimdo Creator, and Jimdo Dolphin which falls under a new category of website builder systems. These two products live side by side: Jimdo Creator enables building a website from scratch or running your blog or online store, and Jimdo Dolphin is used to get a beautiful website that's ready to go in just a few minutes.   Jimdo
  • Scalar - Scalar is a free, open-source publishing platform geared toward long-form scholarship with embedded multimedia. It also provides the capability for multimedia tagging and annotation, as well as for interacting with stories in a nonlinear way through different path structures. Scalar allows for the easy creation of a website using a book-type format. It was created by the Alliance for Networking Visual Culture at the University of Southern California.   Scalar    
  • You Need A Wiki - You Need A Wiki (YNAW) is a simple, yet effective tool for creating a wiki utilizing Google Docs for editing and your Google Drive for storage. This tool is ideal if you work with Google regularly and maintain a Google Drive. You simply create an account and then import folders from Google drive into YNAW. Your folders are converted into a wiki-style page. It is so much easier to read and navigate than clicking through a folder in Google Drive. You can create and edit Docs, Sheets, and Slides directly in YNAW too. There are many wikis that are more powerful and multifunctional, but if you work in Google and want to share and collaborate this is a fantastically simple and easy tool to use. Even if you just want to put some of your most-used folders in a more functional ...
  • Medium - Medium is a publishing platform with a social twist. The platform has 120 million readers that are able to directly follow the publisher or the writer they want and read their articles. The platform encourages writers from all over the world to become a member and publish on its platform. The social aspect of the platform makes it easy for readers to follow the writers. The more followers you have, more widely your work will get published. The writers can also choose to publish freely or for a fee. This management is done by the Medium platform that has either free membership of paid membership with only the paid members able to view materials that demand fees.   Medium
  • Directory of Learning & Performance Tools – Centre for Learning & Performance Technologies - This searchable Directory has been compiled by Jane Hart. The directory contains over 1,000 entries categorised into 35 headings. This directory compliments the website that shares the Top Tools for Learning compiled from an annual survey sent out through the Centre.   Directory of Learning & Performance Tools – Centre for Learning & Performance Technologies
  • Visual Learning Center by Visme - The resource to help you become a better visual communicator. The site contains a wide array of resources visual learners and presenters. These resources will help you become a better presenter, communicator, and storyteller by creating better presentations and infographics.   Visual Learning Center by Visme   Keywords: visual learning, digital literacy, blogs and wikis, visualize information, presentation
  • Digital Note Taking Strategies That Deepen Student Thinking - In a world of competition and exhilaration, success comes to those who are actively organized. A vital tool to aide students in today's digital era where as much of learning happens online as it does in an in-person classroom is a proper note taking strategy. KQED Inc. describes how digital note taking strategies can enhance students' thinking ability and thus, assist them to achieve success.     Digital Note Taking Strategies That Deepen Student Thinking     Keywords: organization, note taking, digital notes, efficiency  
  • Populr.me - Populr.me can be used for social media, business, education, or many other uses. Build websites with templates for networking, sales, marketing, etc. Drop in text, video, pictures, embeds.  Upgrade for additional features, or keep it free.  Great for building interactive syllabi, professional profiles, ePortfolios, and other online information.   Populr.me   Keywords: web editing, websites
  • Podbean - Podbean is used to listen to podcasts and can be used on a phone, mobile device, or desktop. You can use Podbean to easily record and publish your own podcasts.   Podbean
  • WiseMapping - WiseMapping is a web-based mind mapping tool. This tool allows users to create mind maps, share it on a web page, blog, and in social media posts. WiseMapping Keywords: Mindmap, concept map
  • Helping Apps for Practitioners and Educators (HAPPE) - Helping Apps for Practitioners and Educators, HAPPE, is a monthly blog series of the University at Buffalo School of Social Work.  The goal of the series is to connect practitioners and educators in the Helping Professions with mobile apps they may find useful in practice or in their pursuit of life-long learning.  We believe digital literacies are important skills for the new millennium. This series aims to educate and inspire Helpers to appropriately integrate technology into their professional lives.   Happe   Keywords: mental health, counseling, mobile apps
  • Snapguide - Bring together photos, videos, tweets, and documents on the go. Share them with everyone. Find new recipes, DIY projects, beauty hacks, technology, and lifestyle tips all in one place!   Snapguide   Keywords: File Management, Photos & Images, Social Media
  • Med-Tech Innovation News - This website is the UK and Ireland leading publication for medical design and manufacturing technology and innovation. Their expert editorial team brings together daily news, technical content, analysis, case studies and high-profile interviews with industry experts and thought leaders. Med-Tech Innovation News provides intelligence for professionals involved in the design and production of Class I, II & III medical engineering and manufacturing community with the latest innovations in technology, materials, processes, digital health, and R&D.   Med-Tech Innovation News   Keywords: Blogs, Digital Literacy, Lifelong Learning, Resource Library  
  • Atavist for Education - Atavist is a publishing and storytelling platform to turn your ideas into stunning projects & portfolios.   Atavist for Education   Keywords: Blogs, Wikis
  • PBWorks - PBWorks offers a variety of collaboration tools including free wikis for education. Editing and formatting of the wiki is very easy and needs only minimal instruction. Students can collaborate on projects outside of the classroom. Student accounts can be created without email addresses. Educators can get automated notifications to see when and how often students access their wiki page. Wikis can also be used to store, discuss, search and share wiki pages, files, and documents.   PBWorks   Keywords: Collaboration, Websites, Wikis
  • Blogger - Blogger is a popular blogging platform run by Google. It is a blog-publishing service that allows multi-user blogs with time-stamped entries. Although there are more complex blogging tools available, the combination of cost (free) and flexibility makes Blogger an attractive option, whether you’re updating friends and family about your life, hosting your own advice column, or discussing political views. Your blog can have multiple contributors or you only. Generally, the blogs are hosted by Google at a subdomain of blogspot.com. You can also use Blogger to make podcast feeds.   Blogger   Blogger Help Page - This is the Blogger Help page put together by Google.   Keywords: Blogs, ePortfolios, Websites Review Accessibility/Security Info
  • Pocket - Pocket was developed to help people save interesting articles, videos and more from the web for later enjoyment. Once saved to Pocket, the list of content is visible on any device — phone, tablet or computer. It is free and available for major devices and platforms including iPad, iPhone, Android, Mac, Kindle Fire, Kobo, Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Opera, and Windows. It is integrated into current versions of Firefox and there are browser extensions for other browsers such as Chrome. One of its more unique features is that it gives you a clean look at the documents you save minus the advertisements and other extras. That makes it easier to print and share.   Pocket   A Review of Pocket Chrome Browser Extension & Android App Keywords: Collaboration, Lifelong Learning, Presentations, Productivity Tools, Resource Library  
  • Google Docs Voice Typing - In Google Docs you can type with your voice instead of your fingers by using the Voice Typing tool, turning voice into written word. In addition to straight dictation, this tool enables you to edit a document. Some examples include highlighting text, inserting a link, deleting words, changing text layout, or adding comments.   Google Docs - Type with your voice   How to use Google Docs Dictation   Keywords: Audio, Blogs, Digital Literacy, Mobile Apps, Presentations, Productivity Tools, Wikis  
  • MERLOT II (including Merlot OER & Content Builder) - A program of the California State University System partnering with education institutions, professional societies, and industry to bring together a curated collection of free and open online teaching, learning, and faculty development services contributed and used by an international education community. Each resource has been reviewed by faculty familiar with the discipline and rated by the community of users. OER include full courses, websites, videos, test sets, textbooks, and tutorials.   MERLOT II (including Merlot OER & Content Builder)   MERLOT Help – A 'context-sensitive' help system designed for users who require information or assistance about the MERLOT website, functionality, or services. How to Use MERLOT – Resource guide providing links to several pages for using MERLOT in your classroom. Merlot Content Builder – offers a quick and easy way to deliver web-based open content, hosted through the CSU and MERLOT. Content Builder resources can easily be incorporated into MERLOT's vast ...
  • Strikingly - Create a beautiful website for you & your business, in minutes. Zero code or design skills required. You can also convert a LinkedIn profile to a personal website in just a few clicks. Add a Blog section to any of your sites to start blogging right away. A separate page is created for each blog post.   Strikingly   Discover Strikingly Sites - A link to the Strikingly community to see what sites have been built recently.   Keywords: Blogs, Collaboration, ePortfolios, Publishing, Websites
  • Weebly - Weebly is a complete platform that allows anyone to start and grow an online business with curated website templates, powerful e-commerce and integrated marketing. More than 40 million entrepreneurs around the world use Weebly to grow their customer base, fuel sales, and market their idea. Designed for any entrepreneur who wants to reach a global audience, Weebly gives everyone the freedom to create a high-quality site and store that works brilliantly on any device.   Weebly   Weebly Website Builder: Get a Pro Website in 60 Minutes or Less - A short tutorial on how to build an effective website through Weebly.   Keywords: Blogs, Collaboration, ePortfolios, Productivity Tools, Publishing, Websites Review Accessibility/Security Info
  • Padlet - Padlet is an online virtual bulletin board, where students and teachers can collaborate, reflect, and share links and pictures, in a secure location. Padlet allows users to create a hidden wall with a custom URL. Padlet creators can also moderate posts, remove posts, and manage their boards. Note: Padlet is one of the few tools that can be used by a learner on a Padlet without signing in. However, it should be noted that an account is created to be a Padlet "creator" and the data that is shared to create an account is not always limited to within Padlet.   Padlet   30 Creative Ways to Use Padlets for Teachers and Students - An article that discusses the many uses of Padlet as well as how to create one. Padlet - Best of Education - A collection of the "best" Padlets within the realm of ...
  • Tumblr - Tumblr is a microblogging and social networking website founded by David Karp in 2007, and owned by Oath Inc.The service allows users to post multimedia and other content to a short-form blog. Users can follow other users' blogs. Bloggers can also make their blogs private.   Tumblr   How to Use Tumblr for Blogging and Social Networking - This article talks about the classic uses of the platform Tumblr.   Keywords: Blogs, Collaboration, Mobile Apps, Photos & Images, Publishing, Social Media, Video, Websites Review Accessibility/Security Info
  • WordPress - WordPress is an open-source blogging and a website creation platform. WordPress (often referred to as WP) is very widely used and makes up about 30% of all published websites.  There is a subtle but important difference between WordPress.org and WordPress.com. WordPress.org gives lots of freedom, but you need a self-hosted platform to deliver your site. This involves additional steps to set up a server and install the WordPress software or payment for a hosting service. WordPress.com allows free pages that are hosted directly on the WordPress.com site. Both versions of WordPress are user-friendly but some of the advanced themes are not an option that is available on WordPress.com. This is only available when you have your own server space to install your own version of WordPress. Themes and plugins are similar to webpage templates and provide advanced functionality for WordPress websites.   WordPress.com and WordPress.org   Beginner's Guide for WordPress - How to ...
  • Wikidot - Wikidot.com is the world's third-largest wiki farm, with almost million and a half users running 500,000 sites and serving more than 100M unique visitors per year. Our growing success comes from building a service that people enjoy using, and tell their friends and colleagues about.   Wikidot   Getting Started with WikiDot - This is WikiDot support page which details how one would get started in creating an account and using their WikiDot to the fullest. An example of a WikiDot - Student Apathy   Keywords: Collaboration, ePortfolios, Productivity Tools, Publishing, Websites, Wikis Review Accessibility/Security Info
  • Zoho Wiki - Zoho Wiki is a free online tool to create collaborative web portals. No downloads, no installation, no special IT infrastructure, no need for IT experts, no webmasters. You can access your wiki anywhere, anytime. Wikis are offered as a knowledge management tool, for which multiple users can be added as collaborators. These wikis are ideal for small teams, closed groups, intranets, etc.   Zoho Wiki   FAQ and Help Page for Zoho Wiki - This is the ZohoWiki help and FAQ page.   Keywords: Collaboration, ePortfolios, Productivity Tools, Publishing, Websites, Wikis
  • Wikiversity - Wikiversity is a Wikimedia Foundation project devoted to learning resources, learning projects, and research for use in all levels, types, and styles of education from pre-school to university, including professional training and informal learning. We invite teachers, students, and researchers to join us in creating open educational resources and collaborative learning communities. To learn more about Wikiversity, try a guided tour, learn about adding content, or start editing now.   Wikiversity   Wikiversity article About Wikiversity - This is a Wikiversity article regarding Wikiversity.   Keywords: Collaboration, Open Educational Resources (OER) & Open Access, Wikis
  • Wikis in Higher Ed - The purpose of this wiki is to collect ideas, thoughts, suggestions, resources on ways in which wikis are being used in Higher Education.   Wikis in Higher Ed   Keywords: Collaboration, Lifelong Learning, Open Educational Resources (OER) & Open Access, Wikis
  • EduBlogs - "Since 2005, Edublogs has grown into the largest educational blogging network in the world. We believe that blogging transforms the educational experience of students and have seen firsthand how Edublogs increases ownership of learning, engages students, and becomes a source of pride in the classroom. Edublogs is a project of the prominent WordPress company Incsub; the same team behind CampusPress and WPMU DEV. We pride ourselves on making user-friendly products and providing lightning-fast support."   Edublogs   EduBlogs Youtube Support Page - This page has several "How-To" videos regarding EduBlogs.   Keywords: Blogs, Collaboration, Publishing, Websites, ePortfolio Review Accessibility/Security Info
  • Wikibooks - Wikibooks is a Wikimedia project for collaboratively writing open-content textbooks that anyone, including you, can edit right now by clicking on the edit link that appears near the top of each Wikibooks page. Wikibooks is for textbooks, annotated texts, instructional guides, and manuals. These materials can be used in a traditional classroom, an accredited or respected institution, a home-school environment, as part of a Wikiversity course, or for self-learning. As a general rule, this collection mainly includes instructional books. Contributors maintain the property rights to their contributions, while the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License and the GNU Free Documentation License makes sure that the submitted version and its derivative works will always remain freely distributable and reproducible.   Wikibooks   Wikiversity Article About Wikibooks - This is a Wikiversity article regarding Wikibooks and its multitude of uses. See Wikibooks Policy Info about Copyrights for more information.   Keywords: Open Educational ...