In my last post, I gave the ins and outs of different blog sites and the benefits of utilizing blogs in your classroom. There are, however, many more tools than just blogs that can be used to motivate and encourage student learning.
One tool that is actually quite popular is the wiki. More than likely, we are all familiar with Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia that provides up to date information regarding just about any topic imaginable. Just like Wikipedia, classroom wikis require users to have an account or user key that is provided by the teacher. Once the students have the account, they are free to edit the webpage as desired. Watch this video for a basic overview of wikis:
Like the video suggests, wikis are a perfect avenue for collaboration, or group work. I remember when I was in school and the teacher assigned a group project. This usually meant getting together in the evening or on the weekends, and working around busy schedules could be difficult to manage. With a wiki, the group could work together at their own convenience.
I have found wikis to be a great brainstorming tool. Furthermore, they provide the perfect structure to incorporate cooperative learning strategies. Vocabulary and test review are a few of the ways my students have used the wiki in our class. Take a look at the following examples:
Test Review: In this example, students created most of the review questions. Students logged into the wiki using the invite key, and then answered the question to the best of their ability. After a given time, they rotated to another station where a different question was waiting to be answered. The process continued until all questions were answered multiple times. Students were asked to not delete information, but either add to previous answers or state reasons for disagreement.
Vocabulary: I have a great speech teacher who always asks for new vocabulary words to assist with students in pull-out situations. In the past, I looked up vocabulary words and their definitions and emailed them to her. With the use of the wiki, this is no longer necessary. I simply add the vocabulary words to the wiki, and students use a jigsaw activity to add definitions. As in the previous example, if definitions are already given from another class, the students add to their definition. Because it's best to provide definitions with kid-language, all of the definitions differ to some degree. Pictures can even be scanned in and added. With this feature, I no longer have to make the vocabulary list. Not only is it now student led, but the information is available to all students and teachers anytime they need it.
Editing: Ever seen writing workshop in action? If so, you're familiar with students reading, editing, and revising classmates' writing. Following a given number of edits, the teacher conferences with the student and reviews the writing along with the student individually. With this example, students and even the teacher can edit and revise the work right on the computer. This can also simplify the process of teaching a mini-lesson for the teacher. There would be no need to make transparencies or scans of student work. The writing is held right on the Internet and ready to go.
I like the classroom applications Wetpaint suggests for wikis:
- Group projects
- Collaborative writing, such as newspapers
- Resource storage
- Communication for students/parents
- Assignment information and details
- Peer Review
- Frequently Asked Questions
Wikis are also an easy alternative to a class website if the software isn't available to you. In addition, they're free! Take a look at pbwiki, wikispaces, or wetpaint to find a format you like.
