Wallwisher: Web 2.0 Communication Tool

     The name of the Web 2.0 Communication tool I chose to review is Wallwisher. The URL for this tool is www.wallwisher.com .  Although this tool can be used in a variety of ways, I would say that overall it is best used as a communication tool.

     Wallwisher is simple Web 2.0 tool. The concept of Wallwisher is that of a bulletin board where you, and others with your specific URL, can post sticky notes. The sticky notes are individual posts of up to 160 characters plus the ability to share video files, audio files and images easily.   Wallwisher does not require a computer download so it is easy  to use from school computer labs or home computers alike. Wallwisher is simple enough to be used by children and by others that may have limited computer experience.   

     Before using this tool, you need to have an internet connection, an updated Internet browser, an established email address, and content that you want to post.  This content can be in the form of a question or assignment for students, a question for family, friends, etc or it can be used as a personal organizational tool.  This tool is simplistic in nature so it is not necessary to have any specialized knowledge to be successful.

To use this tool, follow these directions:

1.    Go to www.wallwisher.com

2.    Click on “Build a Wall” 

3.   Middle left of the screen sticky note entitled “You are…”, enter your name as you want it to appear on your posts and then enter your email address.

4.    Add the name of your wall for a unique URL on the “Preferences” sticky note.

5.    Choose either Everyone or Only Me under “Who can view” and “Who can post” on the “Preferences” sticky note.

6.    Also on “Preferences” you can choose to approve all posts before they show up on the wall.

7.    “Choose a Theme” sticky note allows you to choose the color theme you want for the Wall.

8.    Upper left corner under “Click here to select image” you will be given a choice of avatars or you may upload a photo of your own.

9.    Next, click to edit the title and then the subtitle.  This is where your question, theme, directions, etc can be posted. 

10. Finally, click on “Done” in the lower right corner and your page will be developed. Be sure that you remember/write down the URL so that you can give it to your students or others that you want to post to the Wall.

To post on the Wall, follow these directions.

1.    Type the URL into the browser.

2.    When the page comes up, double click on the wall, enter your name or you may leave it anonymous (be specific with students about your expectations).

3.    Your Sticky Note may be up to 160 characters.  You may also upload video or images from the Internet.

4.    Click OK for the note to post.

5.    The sticky notes may be moved anywhere on the board.

You may use the link below to visit the wall that I created for this class.  Please feel free to practice making posts to the Wall!

http://wallwisher.com/wall/UHexampleMDavis

     As a teacher, the uses for Wallwisher are only limited by your creativity. As a Public Speaking Instructor I brainstormed a number of ways that I can use Wallwisher in my online Public Speaking course. I think you will find that you could use any variation of these in most courses.  This will require me to make a number of walls unique to the course but open to all sections. This will not be difficult, but may be time consuming upfront.

 Some ways I might use Wallwisher are as follows:

1.    Introduction board- students post basic information: major, hometown, occupation, etc.

2.    Posting of calendar made up of 30/31 sticky notes.  Assignments can be posted on the dates assignments are due.

3.    Study guide questions from lecture/text posted.

4.    A wall can be created for general questions that the instructor would then answer. This can prevent the duplication of emails and responses to/from the instructor. 

5.    The instructor can post a scrambled outline that students would correct by moving the sticky notes to the correct order.  This would be done as a classroom project.

6.    Wall for chapter questions.  In the example below, I posted the direction “After reading Chapter Two, please list your top three fears of public speaking”. The goal of this is so students see that they are not alone in their fears and that many people share the same fears. As the instructor, I can also address comments that do not answer the question or I can choose to preview posts before allowing them to post. 

 The link to this page is     www.wallwisher.com/wall/SPCH1315GreatestFear

7.    Students can post speech topics to the wall.  This will prevent duplication of topics and allow students to see what others are doing.  This may help them brainstorm topics for themselves.

8.    Students can submit their video links to the wall.  This would provide an easy forum for students to view others’ speeches.

9.    Students can have a Fan page to encourage each other and to provide positive responses to speeches.

As you can see, the list really could be endless!

      As a teacher, the advantages of using Wallwisher are 1.It is very simple. In reviewing websites about this tool, I found several pages from elementary teachers using Wallwisher with students as young as 1^st grade and also pages from college instructors using the tool for their classes. 2. It is appealing without being too distracting. 3. The information is limited to 160 characters, teaching students to be succinct with their thinking/writing. 4. Students can post sticky notes without having to put their identities on the web. 5.  May be useful for visual learners.

     As a teacher, the disadvantages of using this tool are 1.  It is a public tool so anyone can post to your wall unless you choose to preview all posts. 2. Some students might see it as too simplistic in nature. 3. The wall will might get cluttered and distracting once several posts are made. If the information is something that needs to be studied, this may be overwhelming for students especially if they are not visual learners.