I have used wiki pages in the past and even took a wiki class from Lori during the last school year. I have always liked the ideas of easy group collaboration using technology (kids love technology). I realize the limitations of people putting "whatever they want" on a wiki but pbwiki does a nice job of limiting outsiders from adding to my wiki.
When I took the wiki class I immediately saw the power of students working together. I made my wiki page and then went back to my classes, told them how cool wikis are and then did nothing else with it! As usual, time constraints got the best of me and I never had kids do anything. Now after the differentiated learning activities I have participated in this year, I feel that a wiki site is the perfect place for differentiated student projects. Students who are struggling can develop the basic ideas part of the wiki by providing general information. Students who grasp high level concepts can apply their knowledge to designing detailed items for a curriculum topic wiki page. This is how I envision an entire class being able to work together in a differentiated way.
As I watched the videos on wikis, I felt more open to trying a class content wiki page due to the ideas presented, such as: using a wiki page to manage other wiki pages; collaborating on topic and project ideas; connecting to digital media beyond the textbook. I also like what teachers said about having to teach students "digital citizenship". Without these online morals, students could cross the line and publish something that could be offensive. Many students need to be taught to think before they act. Finally, I like the idea that the wiki can be password protected and therefore be secure, yet open to advancement from many, trusted student minds.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
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3 comments:
Brian, I'm very new to wiki's so some of your thoughts caught my attention. Why do you think wiki's will be valuable for differentiated projects? Do you have any specific ideas on how you will use this? Since many of us seem to be struggling with how to make time for planning differentiated lessons and tasks any hints or thoughts on using this as a tool would be welcomed.
Julie, I have posted more now to my original post. I thought I would have enough time to finish my ideas but then the bell rang and you know how that goes. Anyway, I would love to have students start a geology wiki. Students could start by writing and finding pictures during the mineral unit. Lower level kids could provide basic information- definitions, pictures, etc... while upper level kids can do deeper research and use more thinking skills. Ideally (in my class) the wiki would follow us through the rock, erosion and deposition, and earthquake units. I think the end product would be pretty cool, although it would take a lot of time and effort on everyone's part.
I think using a wiki for differentiation is a great idea! Each group can add or edit based on needs, skills, etc, but the end product, the collective contributions of all, become a great resource for others as well as a way to share. I also love the idea of a project/product that keeps connecting new learning, that continues through several units. All too often we treat these things as discreet entities and miss the opportunity to reinforce connected concepts and more global understandings.
I think we need to expose students to "controlled" environments online where we can teach and model responsible and respectful digital citizenship. A wiki could be a great tool for that as well.
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