Engaging students in the 21st century must be done with technology. Students have grown up with the benefit of technology at their fingertips; they use it in all spheres of their lives: social, emotional, physical, and finally, educationally! Sure, we as teachers have the opportunity to bring students to computer labs to provide them with in-class instruction, but why not take advantage of the fact that technology can bring learning home; it extends the school day, connects the classroom to the living room. By providing students this opportunity to learn in the comfort of home, the teacher has already gained students' attention; in order to further engage students, using the common interest (between teacher and student) of the computer, we as teachers will invite our students to take part in learning within the environment in which they are most comfortable: home.
Although class blogs have stolen the reputation of the most effective learning tool in and out of the classroom, David Wetzel draws attention to the truth: "Wikis are more versatile than a class blog, because blogs are typically one way communication and Wikis are update by teachers and students." Wetzel's attempt is not to slander blogs, but to inform teachers, students, and parents that they can ALL take part in the learning process at once. A blog is an individual's thought, whereas a wiki encourages all individuals to become involved in the process. A teacher can continue a lesson in the classroom online, and even better, ALL students can comment! It extends the school day, and by a means which interests children. In Wetzel's own words: students can "save class work in personal Wiki folders...complete at home...and submit to teacher;" "can collaborate one work during and after school...group Wiki folders;" "student groups can edit each other's work as they complete a class project;" and most importantly what EVERY teacher wants in a group project "students are held accountable...because Wiki records who participated."
What isn't there to love about the invention of Wikis? It grabs the students' interests and holds the accountable for the work they put in. Welcome, Wiki, to Russo's classroom, K108! Everybody join in! I promise it will help :)
Wetzel, David. Using Wiki Technology to Engage Students. http://www.suite101.com/content/using-wiki-technology-to-engage-students-a69448. 2008, September 10.
I think part of the problem comes from the ever evolving information that wiki's allow. An educator must be willing to monitor and double check the information that students provide. I love the ideas of wiki's but you also have to empower the students with responsibility. The last thing anyone wants is to leave the classroom with misinformation or lack of understanding? A blog is generally someone's opinion and can be taken in different ways as a wiki is generally regarding as online encyclopedia who's information we trust (though we know this is not always the case). Ultimately with any sources of information it's important to teach students how to determine what is correct information and did through all the crap. It's more important with this medium because there is so much more information.
ReplyDeleteI would be very cautious allowing young children create a Wiki on a content area subject. Some of the misconceptions they derive from their research is hilarious, but not something I would want to disseminate on a wholesale level. Misinformation is contagious, and it takes five times as long to unlearn incorrect information than to learn it correctly the first time.
ReplyDeleteBut, I might try a Wictionary with the caveat that it is filtered through their evolving understanding of language.
Wikis are great! Especially if you teach multiple sections, using the same wiki. Misconceptions can (hopefully) be corrected by peer experts before you ever need to get involved. That said, I think Ravenport has a point: you'll have to be involved.
ReplyDeleteBecause a wiki is more a website format, it is inherently more flexible. But the reflective qualities and the "snapshot in time" portfolio aspects of a blog are powerful. Just different.