COMPARING/CONTRASTING

Blogs share certain common characteristics with web pages, forums/message boards and wikis. However, each of these tools is used for a particular purpose so the presentation online and when you use it will vary according to each tool's specificity.

blogs x forums/message boards: The difference between a forum/ message board and a blog does not seem big if you just consider them as messages threads. From the point of view of layout and structure, the message board or forum is not as attractive as a blog and, what is more, it is in the hands of the teacher or the webmaster responsible for it. The most significant difference between both is that a blog is a much more flexible and interactive online tool and it can be controlled by the student. It can be customized and gives the owners the freedom to publish what they want and choose the template that suits them best.

blogs x web pages: Just like a web page, a blog empowers students as they have to think about building content and inserting it into a structure. The fact they know they will be read by a wider audience encourages their creativity and personal responsibility. However, a blog is more democratic than a web page because you do not need a knowledge of HTML, specific software to publish online or a server. It is also more dynamic and easier to update than a web page. It features an automatic archive section.

blogs x wikis: Just like a blog, wikis rely on links and feeds. The difference is that a wiki is a very powerful collaborative paper online, an open-editing system, where people add information and links which can be often re-written and updated. I would say it is extremely useful when you are doing a collaborative project when you need to gather, edit, record and update data. There are also a number of conventions to be followed. I believe the interface is a bit more complicated than a blog and not as attractive. However, it is like an orchestra online...where every musician brings in their contribution to the concert.
You may have a look at it at: http://c2.com/cgi/wiki?WelcomeVisitors and http://c2.com/cgi/wiki?OneMinuteWiki