That is the question I asked myself this time last year. When I began my EDS program at the University of West Georgia in January 2009, I began to hear a lot of talk about Web 2.0 tools. I thought to myself what is Web 2.0 and why have I not heard this term before now? Needless to say, I was excited to begin learning about the great open source tools available on the Internet. Among the many Web 2.0 tools available, I have heard others refer to wikis time and time again.
The first wiki I was introduced to was Educational Wikis. http://educationalwikis.wikispaces.com/
This wiki offers educators a place to discuss the use of wikis, and it offers an index of numerous educational wikis. As I scrolled through the vast index of wikis and began to investigate how other educators were using wikis, I began to form a plan of how to use a wiki in my classroom. I knew I needed more experience with using wikis, so I continued to examine other wikis and other wiki sites in order to continue my plan. Over the summer, I investigated sites such as http://www.wetpaint.com/ and http://pbworks.com/. I decided what I liked and didn't like about the different wiki sites available. I choose wikispaces for my class wiki. http://lms8esmith.wikispaces.com/
I had big ideas for using my class wiki; I wanted not only to post homework and other class materials but I also wanted to begin a page for discussing great books. As school began and I explained the wiki to my students, I realized that all my dreaming of using the wiki might not turn out as I had hoped.
Then came my digital photography class at UWG. This class required us to work in groups in order to comment on photos and to give feedback to everyone. Since I volunteered to be the leader, I was thrust into the wonderful world of wikis! Our group decided to use a wiki as a way of collaborating on the projects for our class. I volunteered to set up the wiki so that I could gain more insight into creating and using them. Here is the link to our photography wiki. http://thesnapshots.wikispaces.com/
I learned how to upload files and pictures, and I learned that maybe I needed to change the plan I had for my own class wiki. I tucked that information away in the back of my mind. As the end of the photography class approached, I had to decide how to publish my e-portfolio. Since I had gotten so used to using the wiki, I decided to use it as my e-portfolio. http://eportfolio-esmith.wikispaces.com/
Then I began to think about how I could incorporate something like this with my own students. I began talking with other colleagues, and the majority of them were not excited; however, I mentioned it to the media specialist, and she was all ears! She and I have had numerous conversations about how we could use wikis at our school. Along with using the wikis as class pages and portfolios, we discussed using a wiki to help the grade levels with research. This idea is still in its infant stages, but seeing the wiki from Decatur High and Apalachee High gives me hope that our work on a research wiki will come to fruition.
As I think about the plans I have for becoming a media specialist in the near future, I have big dreams of using wikis to collaborate with teachers, students, and parents. I have bookmarked several wikis of interest, and there is even a wiki dedicated to Web 2.0 tools! How cool is that! http://cooltoolsforschools.wikispaces.com/
I love the view I have from my wikis. What are you waiting for? Let's wiki this!
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The wikis from Decatur High and Apalachee High are amazing! You have inspired me with the wikis you have created too! Now as a Pre-K teacher and aspiring media specialist for an elementary or primary school I have begun to wonder how can I implement wikis for teachers, parents, students and the community. The wiki for Web 2.0 tools is very helpful and will be a great resource for other teachers.
ReplyDeleteI, too, find myself wondering more and more about how I can use Wikis to the best of their ability as a media specialist. I can see them being used for team meetings, to bring up collaboration ideas and to help students learn to research.
ReplyDeleteLike you, I have found myself going from hearing the word "wiki" and wondering what they are, to using one every day for various ideas. They are fabulous tools that is greatly underused. I hope to be able to get other teachers to see their merit!
I am absolutely amazed at the ways that teachers and media specialists are using wikis. I was excited about your post on wikis. The links you put in were very informative and helpful. Each of your links gave me some great ideas on how to incorporate wikis into my own classroom and future media center. My favorite link that you posted is the link to cooltoolsforschools. I know I will be using this wiki to continue developing my knowledge and incorporation of the tools into my own classroom.
ReplyDeleteI, too, had big ideas for my class wiki. It was used often during the first semester of this school year. However, after Christmas break, I slacked off, so the students slacked off.
ReplyDeleteAs you did, I wanted a page to discuss books. The one I created for the students turned out pretty good. I have a few tech savvy students who really want a forum, so they use the wiki often. One of those is an English language learner, and I love to see her writing for an authentic audience.
If you have an interest, check out what they have done at:
http://notable.wikispaces.com/A+Great+Book+I+Just+Read
Thanks for sharing your resources. It is very helpful to have the path forged. You inspired me to get started immediately so I went to the Wet Paint link and started an extended family wiki. I posted some pictures from last Christmas, attached a family contact list, and started a planning sheet for our Easter get-together. Now everyone can update their cell numbers and addresses, add pictures (or delete some of the ones I posted if they don’t like them) and sign up for what they are bringing to dinner! My family now thinks I am the tech queen. Ha!
ReplyDeleteNext I will set up a Wiki for my EIP team. I am collaborating right now with three other EIP teachers on CRCT prep. We used the standards to build our objectives and then found great resources online to address those goals. We are using our LED projectors and laptops to present almost all of our lessons, eliminating the need for texts and saving money on running copies. Let’s hope there is no system failure! Note to self – make alternate plans in case of computer issues! But you see my point. To use wikis for collaboration on lessons is a great idea and what I think will be the norm in the days to come.
Great Job! Wow, your examples you provided were great! I would love to show my teachers at my school some of your wiki examples if you don't mind! I am planning a workshop at the end of school and during the summer to show teachers how to create and use wikis. At first, I know they will be overwhelmed, but at the same time excited to learn something new.
ReplyDeleteSince I love taking pictures, I personally like your wiki showing the photographs! I will continue to use wikis in my media center and I can't wait to show the teachers what fun and exciting things they can do with wikis! Thanks for sharing your wikis!! :)