Activity 11

For my course work this week I am to check out Wikis and comment on them. My initial impression was that they seemed like a basic web page with links. Tabs across the top seemed the same in Thousand and One Flat World Project and Discovery Utopias (page, discussion, history, notify me). The page section seemed a little cluttered to me - links on the side and embedded in the text of the main area - a lot to look at for the first time. I note that the discussion page is for team members to make their comments, and history actually allows you to see the exchanges. It wasn't until I looked at Kindergarten Counting Book that I found the editing feature that makes it seem considerably different than a regular web page. I'm not sure what I would do differently - except may be add a section for the first time visitor to "map out" and explain the site.

Wikis may be the one area of 2.0 that I am most uncomfortable with as far as using with my students. Obviously, prior work must be done to set up the expectations of civility - it is so easy for 8th graders to make inappropriate comments. Then again, I need to take a deep breath and wonder how it is different from the note or comment left on a desk that is a slam on the person who comes in next... wikis are seen by more people... it is easier to discover the author of the slam...

How could I use a wiki? It would be interesting to have students use it to set up a vocabulary class dictionary - they could post definitions and clues to help remember the information. I wonder if one could post a template of a worksheet or graphic organizer that 2 or 3 students could then fill out? It does come down to the issue of time and available technology. The laptops are great (either on the cart or library) until 8th period rolls around, and the batteries start to die out.

I guess the best option is to dive in and give it a try!

Make it a great day!