I have to admit that, at least initiailly I didn’t see much use for a wiki. I viewed it as nothing more than a glorified web page, that wasn’t worth much as a resource because it could be readily altered by anyone. As Trapper John McIntyre once said on the tv show MASH…“Intelligence allows for change”. This can apply not only to my outlook on wikis, but also to the wikis themselves. I no longer see wikis as a form of “reference material”, but as an educational tool that offers a variety of benefits to education. Wikis can be useful in providing lesson summaries, which list key concepts and vocabulary. This would allow for the students’ own insight on what they think are key terms and concepts. I would even go so far as to say that the wiki could be utilized an on-line study guide. To further this concept, the wiki can allow for a collaboration of notes which would then allow all students ready access to material that they might have picked up, but that others may have missed. Another potential use for a wiki is concept introducation. I think this offers a great opportunity to determine students prior knowledge of a topic. The instructor could list a title or heading and the students could add what they already know about a topic to the wiki, developing a “cross section” of knowledge about the subject. The information posted could then be used as part of the lesson introduction to stimulate discussion. Additionally, wikis can be used at the opposite end of a lesson to summarize the lesson itself, which in turn brings us back to the idea of a study tool.
Another unique feature is that they are what I would consider “expandable”. Although it may be difficult to coordinate, students in related programs may be able to collaborate on projects, sharing not only information, but also ideas and opinions. Here is one area where we can see the idea of the “collective expert” develop. This offers potential for classes like mine, because they are not common (there are only 3 in the entire Commonwealth of PA). I like the idea of students in Lehigh County being able to work with students in the programs in Lancaster and Centre Counties. The idea of wikis affords my students the opportunity to work with the students from these other areas, which would not otherwise be possible or practical. For more information, I thought the “How I use Wikis” page at: http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com/2006/08/how-i-use-wikis-what-do-you-do.html offered a great deal of insight into the potential of wikis.
As with blogs, wikis are not without their downsides. The fact that they are easily edited can pose a risk for dissemination of false or inaccurate information. Because a significant amount of student participation would most likely occur outside of the classroom, some students will have a tendency to “hang back” and participate less. I think this can be overcome by instructing the students on the concept of “significant contribution” and/or “constructive modification” as explained in the Wiki Solutions Manual (http://pc40s.pbwiki.com).
7 comments ↓
Great ideas on implementation. I like the idea of the group study guide. I am still struggling over which will be the best for me and my students, blogs vs wikis. In class, Annie and I thought of using a wiki as a vocabulary resource, in that students would be responsible for writing new terms learned in lessons onto the wiki. They could also perhaps add links that they learned about. For example, I teach the forms of energy, like electrical energy. Kids could define it, then find examples of it online with links to it and insert images to help explain it. Thanks for jump starting my brain for more ideas on implementation!!
Using a wiki as a vocab resource is an excellent idea. I have a list of technical terms that I assign each week. The students currently copy these terms and their definitions as I present them into their notebook, hopefully look at them a few times and take a quiz at the end of the week. I like the idea of both the students and I posting the terms, and letting the students develop the definitions collectively (with a little insight from the instructor). This idea has a lot of potential. Thanks.
You’ve done some excellent thinking around ways to use wikis in your classroom! In regards to students putting inappropriate material on the wiki…I have never had a problem with this. I suspect the fact that the wiki keeps a history of each addition/change and attaches a name to it is incentive enough to use it for good only. Sounds unbelievable, but it’s true.
I especially like your idea about using the wiki to determine the class’s prior knowledge before teaching your lesson. Plus, the fact that a wiki is so easily edited means that students could re-visit the page on which they listed their prior knowledge, correct any misconceptions, and add on to the page what they learned in the lesson. The same page used before the lesson could then serve as a study tool.
Lots of wonderful ideas out there in the blogs. I think taking the time to look at and learn about each tool individuaaly has really helped and has allowed us the time to think of ways to implement their use in out particular content area.
Great ideas – The link was also insightful. I really feel my class will benefit from these activities. Other ideas for implementation – Exit slips for class, before students leave your room, they have to include information about that day’s lesson, also include a stamp of stating “work in progress” – this will allow you to read over and edit all information to make it correct, and then put a “finished product” stamp on it after you checked it. This will close the page, and assure that the information is correct when it is used as a study guide.
As Alice stated, I plan on creating a wikipedia on my space for new vocabulary. As we learn and develop new words students can add information to create a vocabulary resource to reference.
My biggest issue is how the whole space will look. I imagine that as I use the space, I will alter and adjust to make the page work best for the students.
You really blew this idea out of the water. Basically, a wiki can do anything you want it to. Since anybody can get on it to contribute, it can be the best resource for everyone in the classroom. I figured out about the start and the end of class just as Randy does. I would have never guessed to make a wiki a cross section of ideas for on-line study guides.
You offer a good point with the idea of students hanging back. I can see where this would happen in my class and students not caring. I like the term significant contribution. I will also remind them that I can track what is put on by whom. I am definately taking notes on what can become of the ol’ mighty wiki.
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