Blogs, wikis, and other social bookmarking tools such as
Delicious are a great way for a large number of people to connect, learn, and
share ideas with each other. These social medias help enhance interaction
between class members and even globally, via the internet.
Blogs
Blogs such as E-Blogger, which we are currently using in our
class, is an online website which is used as a place for discussion or ideas,
in which people can share their views and opinions. Blogs can be used in Saudi
Arabia for EFL purposes by asking students to write their views on important
topics relevant in the modern world. They can then post this on the blog and
share these ideas with everyone else on the blogging site. This will help
interaction between various people from different places and help students
become better communicators and improve their English. Also it will help them
think increase general knowledge. For
example, students can write about a new, emerging technology that will change
the world. Other students can then read and write their own views under the
author’s blog post.
Wikis
Wikis are different from blogs and are used to write
information collaboratively and give the option to the
users to update information, to ensure it is always up-to-date. In the Saudi EFL
context, wikis will help students work together on assignments and correct or
update other student’s mistakes, through various forms on access. This will
keep all the students involved not only with their own individual work, but
with their classmates work as well. This will definitely improve writing skills
of the students. For example, one essay which is to be written by several
members of the class can be completed using a wiki.
Delicious
Delicious is social bookmarking software that allows users
to store bookmarks for later access. Users can save bookmarks for websites that
they would later like to visit, and all these links can be accessed through a
single Delicious page. For EFL purposes,
students can save links as a reference which will help them improve their
English skills. For example, if one student always feels nervous before a
presentation, they can bookmark a website which shares tips on how to become a
better presenter and can always read the tips through their Delicious account
before giving any presentation.
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