Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Wikis
Now that you have seen wikis in action….how do you think you could use wikis in class. Obviously you could use other people’s wikis for information. How could you give make use of student created wikis in your classroom. Be specific with regards to courses, content, projects, etc. This link will give you some ideas.
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In my classes, students create projects based on self-selected topics that fit in with an overall theme. Using a wiki would allow students to act as peer editors of one another's work as they progress through the project rather than only evaluating the end result. I also lead socratic dialogue based on current event topics. Often students don't feel we have the time to contribute all of their ideas or to fully discuss our questions. A wiki would allow us to keep the conversations going even with those students I am not currently working with any particular quarter.
A wiki would give me an opportunity to circulate a list of topics that are to be covered by a test. I would begin with a column of all topics, and a column of those topics that are mastered. As the wiki circulates among students, each would shift topics between the two columns. Once finished, I would have a valuable tool for a review session.
In third grade we do animal reports and Country reports. The students work in groups on the project(s). They could work together to create a page about each animal with text and other links. They could do the same thing with the Country reports. The students could also use a wikipage for Literature groups/circles. They could contribute their ideas and hold a discussion about the novels.
In my lsnguage arts class the students participate in both independent and small group reading. Students could use wikis to post "advertisements" for books they enjoyed and to also discuss/share thoughts about the boks they are reading. Using wikis would be a great way to utilize technology during literature circles time. Instead of doing the usual paper/pencil worksheets to complete the assigned role sheets, students could post their assigned responses onto the wiki for their book and also comment on the other students' work.
When I've been asked to set up an IAT on a student, I begin by documenting information from the referral. If I set up a wiki on the student which would include all their teachers including the specialist, the information would be more complete and we could hold a "meeting" prior to the IAT as we share information on the student. Furthermore, we often need to conduct a Functional Behavior Assessment which asks behavioral questions like "where does the behavior happen most/least; when does it happen most/least; with whom?, etc. A wiki could be set up and each teacher, aide, etc. could contibute way before the meeting, so that the meeting can be more productive.
Furthermore, the weekly meetings each grade level team hold to discuss academic and social issues regarding their shared students could be started on a wiki and shared with specialists so they can receive the information in a timely and easy fashion.
Lots and lots of applications!
A wiki would allow students to work together on problem solving. Perhaps I could break the class up into groups of 4 or 5 students. Each group would be assigned a math problem of the week. Students could work on their problem at home without having to gather at someone's house.
We often do group projects in my classes. Students could easily use a wiki to communicate with group members about their projects. It would be especially helpful for students with group members in different classes. I would also appreciate the ability to see some of the group's discussion to give me a better understanding of their thinking.
I agree with Ken. I could think of a few math problems that might be good as a Wiki projects. I think I might use it more in science with the different projects we have for each quarter. Students could work together on their Solar Cookers and plan the materials and construction through the wiki. I could ok the plans on-line and save a class period normally spent on conferences.
I think a wiki has a great deal of potential in the social studies classroom, but it is going to take a while to get the kids used to using it. Pam and I have been discussing trying to tie the SSt. curriculum to LA. A wiki would be a good way for kids to share informaiton since they will all have me for SSt., but they will be in different LA classes. Wikis might also be another way to present information when students research a topic.
I am anonymous, at least for now.
When an IAT meeting is scheduled for a student one of the first steps is to gather observations and current data from teachers on the student. A wiki could be created for teachers to record their information. This provides valuable documentation and also allows the entire team to view the observations of their colleagues. It could be an opportunity for another teacher to view and try a new strategy that is effective with this particular student.
So often, UA teachers are unable to meet with a team due to scheduling conflicts. The wiki would also be an opportunity for UA teachers to "chime in" and also know what is happening in the "regular" classroom. It allows for more collaboration. I see LOTS of possiblities with this.
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