Book Review: Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms by Will Richardson

Richardson, W. (2006). Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms. Corwin Press A Sage Publications. 149.

The author’s purpose for writing this book was to show educators how using the new technologies developed on the web can improve the education of students.  He hoped to challenge and motivate teachers into thinking differently about the use of technology in the classroom setting.  So this book is for educators to inspire them to make use of tools like the wiki, blogs, podcast and all of the other internet devices available.  He sees the new generation of students as digital experts who know more than their teachers when it comes to using these internet tools.  He felt that if he shared enough of the “how-to” needed, it would get teachers to start using these tools now.

To prove his point, the author gives a list of some the most used tools on the internet.  He then gives descriptions and usage of each tool.  He explains how these tools have helped to make the internet an interactive utility that makes it possible for anyone with a web browser to add content and edit content on the web.  He stated the youth using the internet can be as young as 2 years old. 

I cannot compare this book to any other because I have not read a book on this subject, in fact; I have not even read any how-to internet or computer manuals.  The author appears to be an expert on this subject with 20 years as a classroom teacher along with 4 and ½ years of blogging experience.  He also is internationally known for using these tools.  He started 4 years ago to integrate the use of technology into his classroom curricula.  He is also a featured blogger for the New York Times, the Washington Times, and others.  He has presented web technologies at workshops and conventions. 

The criteria to judge this book should look at if he was able to achieve the goals he stated.  This can only be answered if it is evidenced that those who have read his book have put his ideas into practice.  There should be questions about how new and profound this information is?   Would this information make me more proficient in using the tools on the web?  Did he write in a way that so kept my interest that I could not put the book down?  Also, how hard was this book to read?