Wikis are simply a tool for collaboration that allows users to edit or alter material using just a web browser. Because there is no special password or mechanism for using a wiki, the possibilities for collaboration are endless. With a click of the “edit” button on a wiki, users can upload links, movie clips, music, or pose questions, answers, and ideas etc. Wikis allow for anyone and everyone to contribute to the topic at hand.
Because the School Library Media Center is the central location in a school for research and gathering information, it makes complete sense for library media centers to use wikis. With a wiki, SLMC can gather resources for teachers like video clips, activities, articles, or websites. A SLMC wiki can provide a place for commonly used links or articles, a place to gather information and sources by topic (like “Holocaust sites”) for students to use. Some school wikis have links to standardized test practice, test taking tips, or
The dangers of wikis are also the strength…anyone can edit the material. This can be a major drawback, but as long as there is a reliable manager (like the library media specialist or classroom teacher), this should not hinder one from creating and using wikis. All web content should be monitored by a responsible person.
In my research, I found some incredible ideas for using wikis in the classroom:
- - Science projects- students could pose questions, tips, answers, or discuss possible science fair projects. This would also be a great place for student collaboration on projects.
- - Literature Circles- students could read the same book and post questions or responses to questions and thoughts.
- - Social Studies Research- how many students have to research the Civil War? Such an important and vast topic has been covered time and time again. A wiki would be a great place to flesh out all of the redundancy and create a space full of valued, relative sites. Why google anymore? Wikis can allow everyone to hone in on the important information and contribute to a meaningful research experience.
- - Collaboration between teachers- when planning unit plans or lesson plans, teachers could use wikis as a gathering place for resources.
- - Student portfolios- wikis could serve as an electronic portfolio for students to keep track of all work and projects. This would also be an ideal place for peer review and peer editing activities.
- - Online textbook collaboration- my high school is moving from a four by four block schedule next year to a traditional seven period day. The cost for textbooks will be great. By using a wiki to gather textbook information or online textbooks, the cost could be considerably less.
One thing to keep in mind about a wiki is to not let the wiki become a digital dumping ground. While it is an excellent resource for gathering links, websites, articles, and other materials, it is important to keep the content moving. One way to do this would be to post weekly questions or topics that require feedback. Having a weekly question to answer or current event to find on a wiki would keep the information new and exciting for students. It certainly beats reading chapters and answer questions from a textbook!
Now that you know about wikis, you can get started creating your very own for your students or school. One free source, with no ads, is http://www.wetpaint.com/.
Reading your post on wikis allowed me to see how wikis can be used within a classroom setting and how the Media Center can become the hub for hosting wiki sites and links. Often times we in the educational arena only beleive that students learn through textbook reading and not through the use of technology. And wikis provides another avenue for students and teachers to gather information and post.
ReplyDeleteHowever with today's technology savvy teens, we MUST meet them where they are with technology or else we will loose them. I agree that once the students are supervised, wikis can provide a wealth of information. And once the Media Specialist is versed in all the capabilities that wikis offer from how to upload video clips to gathering and uploading resourceful websites - wikis can become the NEW Google per se.
Another great and cost effective option that you discussed in your blog was placing E-textbooks or classroom readings on a wikispace. As long as the wikispace is used as a resourceful tool to enhance the learning process and not a dumping ground...I'm all for wikispaces:-)
The civics teacher at my school has been using a class wiki for several years. He does exactly what you have recommended to keep the wiki fresh. Each week he posts a question and his students are required to respond 4 out of each 9 week period. He finds that the discussions on the wiki are more in depth. the anonymity of the wiki allows even the most introverted student to have his/her say. In fact, he loves hearing from those who would never speak up in class. I recently set up a class wiki and he is helping me get started. Can't wait!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that technology is only as good as the user. This is why I am an advocate for using Wiki’s. I believe that a Wiki is an excellent tool to incorporate technology in the school. Wiki’s are great because they are easy to set up and no additional equipment is needed. Like you, I agree that the use of a Wiki in the media center could help the media center become the source of information for the whole learning committee. I think that it is very helpful that you can use a keyword search to find information on the topic that you are looking for. I appreciate you showing examples of how to create a winning Wiki, rather than an overcrowded heavily linked Wiki, Great post.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of having weekly questions to generate feedback from the members. The wiki is a good tool to use for expressing current feelings about an issue. I am sure that students will prefer the wiki over reading a textbook. Using the wiki gives them a chance to do what they love: Social networking and interacting with technology. Collaboration between teachers demands time, I agree using the wiki as a place to gather information will save teachers a lot of what they have very little of: Time. You touched on the cost of textbooks which is another good topic. Using the wiki can help reduce the cost of textbooks and also provide a better selection of resources that the textbook company may not have provided.
DeleteI agree that the posibilities are endless for collaboration using wikis. In the school setting, it does make sense that the media center be the central location for the use of wikis. Your post really made me think about the risks and dangers associated with using such a tool. A reliable manager such as the media specialist or teacher must oversee the content and monitor.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your ideas for using wikis in education. I love the idea of using a wiki for a literature circle. I think this could be used as a media center or literature class assignment and really get students excited and engaged while doing a book report. In addtion, I agree that a wiki could provide great collaboration for teachers. It seems that teachers could use this space to collaborate on lessons and units without having to actually sit through a face to face meeting. This is especially important now that teachers are faced with so many time constraints.
I am so glad that you mentioned that the Media Center will become the hub for any Wiki in a school. With all of the resources that are located in the Media Center it is the perfect place! Thankfully, it also enhances the role of the Media Specialist as an invaluable resource for information. My mentor has a Wiki for her Media Center. She posted a wide variety of information on it so that not only students but teachers have access to media center resources at any time on any given day.
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