Weblogs & Wikis

Weblogs and wikis can indeed be an asset within the classroom.  In reading Will Richardson's Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts and other powerful Web Tools for Classrooms, I was intrigued with the possibilities for creativity and opportunities for learning through a variety of  technology avenues.  In the comparison between blogs and wikis, I originally favored the blog, due primarily to the fact that I found it easier to monitor as a teacher, in regards to "safe guarding" students from information that may be to mature for their ages, or information that may not be entirely accurate.  It had been my experience in the past, where students in my class had found objectionable content on wiki sites that not acceptable in the classroom. However, in exploring wiki's further, I am seeing the advantage of using them in the classroom to connect to others around the world to offer alternate perspectives and insights from their own, or adding factual information to a topic of interest.   It is definitely one avenue that I will continue to explore.

I do however, wonder if students will be able to take full advantage of this due to the limited resources available to schools.  While I am from a school that has more technology than most in our town, the fact that we still have 25 laptops for 75 students presents a problem. one that does not make it reasonable that students will in all likelihood, be able to use on a daily basis.  Yes, some use is far better than none,  but in order for students to benefit from new technology expectations, students must each be able to have access to technology on a daily basis.  It is surprising I know, but I have a high number of students, who do not have computers at home.  Therefore, school is their only option for interaction with technologies and the opportunities it provides.  I would love that every child in every school be provided with a tablet so technology, weblogs and wikis be used as a daily part of their lives.  

How are we able to bring all schools to a place where all students have the same opportunities from technology in the same way?