- Using Wikis In The Classroom - jaylopez
A Wiki is one of the most effective Web 2.0 tools available for teaching and learning today. This technological tool is relatively simple to set up and maintain, as it provides students with direct and immediate access to content. This tool supports collaborative work within and between groups of students and content areas. Wikis are also an excellent tool for establishing an e-portfolio for collection and presentation of student work.
Wikis are not just for collaboration between teacher and students; they also support collaboration between teachers. Some examples include grade level content teachers developing a thematic unit, grade level content teachers developing a cohesive curriculum, and a group of teachers completing school-based research projects. An additional example of Wiki collaboration is when a group of teachers collaborate in publishing an article for a professional journal.
Tips for Using Wikis in the Classroom
Strategies for Wiki use in classrooms are only limited by the creativeness of the teacher and students. The following are a few examples:
Teaching Lessons – teachers can construct their entire curriculum or specific lessons around the use of Wikis. Lessons can have embedded videos, links to supporting websites, links to rubrics, and supporting documents.
E-Portfolio of Student Work – an e-portfolio can replace the file in the teacher’s desk containing samples of student work for parents to view. Access is strictly controlled by the teacher.
Glossary of Terms – students collaborate in defining terms using images, links to detailed explanations, and online videos to build a collective glossary to support any content area.
- One example: students develop an interactive glossary for defining geography terms throughout the entire school year.
Taxonomy – students collaborate in the identification of social use of words and phrases, along with their meanings.
- One example: students develop taxonomy of a synonym ring for specific verbs.
Investigations – student groups report on experimental designs and submit investigation reports to their teacher.
- One example: students collaborate in the investigation in problem-based learning, disappearing polar bear habit.
Additional examples include using Wikis in science and math.
Tips for Avoiding the Downsides of Wikis
Just like all Web 2.0 technology tools, there are downsides to using a Wiki. However, these problems areas are overcome with monitoring and controlling access.
Controlling Access – this is accomplished by the teacher using password protection for the Wiki.
Locking Designated Areas for Protection – teachers can block access to specific sections to avoid unwanted modification.
Structural Hierarchy – a structural design hierarchy must be established from the beginning for ease of access and avoiding confusion.
Bias – since a Wiki’s structure and information are established by a teacher and students, it is important to avoid creating an unintended bias of information presented.
- One example: a math Wiki only focuses on difficult problems or problems which are too easy for students to solve. These biases could lead to disuse of the Wiki due to frustration or boredom.
Tips for Collaboration with Wikis
Since Wikis are easy to setup and edit, they have the potential to change the way students learn and teachers teach. Wikis engage students in classroom activities in new a collaborative ways that break the boredom of traditional classroom teaching.
Semi-Authoritative Collaboration – when students make a glossary of terms, it lends itself to becoming an authority, especially when the information is closely monitored teachers.
Collaborative Projects – groups of students develop a multimedia research report on the Aztec Empire or geometric shapes in everyday objects.
Making Connections with Wikis in the Classroom
The possibilities of Wikis in collaborative projects for students and teachers are unlimited. The ability to limit access provides security, along with providing various levels of access as needed for users of a class Wiki. This technological tool is on its way to transforming teaching and learning for the 21st Century.
David R. Wetzel - Dr. David Wetzel's experience includes more than 25 years in continuing, adult, and teacher education.
