How can we utilize wikis in our classrooms? There are some important things to keep in mind. For one, wikis begin as blank slates; thus, it is up to us as teachers to communicate clear objectives to students for their use. Once outcomes have been established, however, the tool becomes a catalyst for both synchronous and asynchronous communication. The ability for multiple authors to contribute makes wikis incredibly powerful.
What about wikis as a reference tool? Everyday, more and more information is being added to Wikipedia and other wiki-information sites. Internet users are beginning to rely more and more on the expertise of these info-wikis. As teachers, we must instill a level skepticism in our students as they peruse the Internet for information. Because anyone can contribute to wiki sites, there is no guarantee that all of the information provided is factually correct. Wikis, then, become excellent tools to teach digital literacy and safety.
How might you use wikis in your classroom? Here are some ideas:
- Students create a collaborative e-book or alternate ending to a shared text.
- Students create a group study guided for an upcoming test.
- Students across time zones, continents, etc. can collaborate on research projects.
What are other ideas?
I think you make a really good point of teachers having to have in mind and communicate clearly the objectives for a wiki used in the classroom. I really like the idea of the wiki for an alternative-ending story, too.
ReplyDeleteThe alternate ending is an interesting idea, I really like it. It would take some planning and grouping so that the seal lock doesn't become a problem but it would be very do able. I have used our School Fusion website to have student create content based study guide websites in the past but they were rather cumbersome and didn't work well. Your suggestions for a group study guide made me think that a wiki has a better affordance then the Fusion ages did.
ReplyDeleteI was also thinking about having students to complete a research project by using wikis. It would be interesting for groups of students to work together to produce research and then watch how others on the internet collaborate on their wiki.
ReplyDeleteLove your ideas at the end of your post on how to use a wiki in the classroom. That's the part I'm struggling with the most. Finding ways to incorporate some of these technologies that I don't know how to use myself with a group of kindergartners has been my biggest challenge in grad school! It's nice to be able to collaborate and share ideas with everyone when I get stuck!:) I enjoyed reading your post!
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