Wikis are online collaborative websites. Within the Wiki, students can create and edit their own pages as well as collaborate on pages for the class. It is a place where work created on the computer can be contained and accessed through personal id's and passwords. The pages can be self-contained or open to the public; educational wikis are usually for class users only.
I followed a couple of threads on using wiki in the classrooms. Most users liked it and were able to solve problems, like that of students editing at the same time or editing inappropriately, fairly easily. It seemed that many teachers were concerned about students changing page content and were unaware that they could lock certain pages. However, in answer to this query, many teachers felt that, for the students, learning appropriate internet and collaborative behavior was an important lesson and thus the pages should remain unlocked.
I also found out that you are assigned emails for use within the system, not unlike our WebCt; this is another way to keep classroom business contained in one arena. There are several other similar online collaborative tools to use as a common space for the class, however, the consensus seems to be that for the price (free!) and the ease of usage as well as the variety of functions it can serve that Wiki pages are a favorite among educators.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI have not used Wiki yet, but it seems to be similar to Google docs.
ReplyDeleteI got the impression that wikis can be accessed by anyone (like wikipedia), or at least by a larger group, than Google docs, where you invite certain people to see the doc. This sounds like an interesting tool, and I agree with the teachers who say they pages ought to remain unlocked. Students have to learn how to behave appropriately online, and if they are not allowed to alter the documents at all, they won't be able to do anything positive or negative (or learn the difference, in some situations).
ReplyDeleteI agree, that wikis can be a very useful educational tool to encourage and promote collective learning. But, as stated one down side is who has access to it. I'm glad to hear that some reqire passwords to keep the forum secure, so that not just anyone can go in and "doctor" the content.
ReplyDeleteI was not aware that Wiki's could be locked; very informative.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Sarah about students needing to learn how to behave appropriate online. I didn't know what a wiki was, but they sound interesting and I think they shouldn't be locked so students work harder to create something they are proud of.
ReplyDeleteWiki's are a great way to share and create and actual website with content and not just a document. These would be cool to use for any grade level.
ReplyDeleteI have never even heard of Wiki until this class, and just like the blog, it seems like it will be something I will like and use in the future!
ReplyDelete