Sources and Resources For Incorporating Wikis

Below are a couple of resources that you may want to consider when using wikis for instructional purposes. I found the sources below invaluable in preparing for my entries on wikis and when I conducted a presentation on wikis for instructional use. 

•Light, D. (2011). Do web 2.0 right. Learning & Leading With 

      Technology, 38, 11-15.

•Solomon, G., Schrum, L., (2010). Web 2.0 how-to for educators   

      [Electronic version]. U.S.A.: International Society for 

      Technology in Education.

How Can I Use Wikis In The Classroom?

Below is a continuation of our look at how wikis can be used in the classroom for instruction.

• Students critique a peer’s writing or project

• Problem solving activities/projects

• Study Guides on themes/topics in a class in preparation for tests or   

  exams


• Electronic portfolio to share with other students, colleges, 

  community at large, etc.

How Can I Use Wikis In The Classroom?

Our next two entries will focus on how instructors can use wikis for classroom instruction.  Below is a partial list.

• Wikis can be used as a repository for resources

• Eliciting prior knowledge

• Use wikis for  “Warm up”/ “Sponge” activities

• Debates

• Peer editing during the writing process

• Group collaborative writing project or group project

• Group discussion

Advantages Of Wikis

In previous posts, we have briefly examined what a wiki is and why we should consider using wikis for instruction. Now we want to turn our attention to the advantages wikis offer for classroom instruction. Below is a partial list of advantages for using wikis with students.

• Everyone in a group may participate

• Changes to the wiki are instantaneous (additions, deletions, edits, etc.) 

• An instructor may track each individual student and 

  what each student has contributed 

• An instructor may track when those changes/contributions took 

  place (this is especially helpful for when instructors have set deadlines for  

  assignments) 

• Wikis can be used for synchronous and asynchronous learning

Why Use A Wiki For Instruction?

• Wikis allow opportunities for research, synthesizing and analyzing information (i.e. higher-order and critical thinking skills)
• Instructors can individually monitor student contributions and the quality of the contributions.  In other words, wikis allow instructors to see who is posting what information.
• Students are not limited to the classroom as far as their participation and instruction; students are engaged beyond the classroom.
• Wikis provide an equal opportunity for participation, as everyone can participate without having to worry about not being called upon to participate or time running out in class.

Wikis!

A wiki is essentially a web page that allows groups of individuals to contribute to the web page(s).  Ward Cunningham is given credit for coining the term wiki, which is Hawaiian for quick-quick.

What makes wikis so powerful is that an individual or groups of individuals can edit, write, and add links and videos in a collaborative manner.  Wikis truly make the learning process democratic. The most famous wiki is Wikipedia, however, wikis can be used for instructional purposes as well. A simple way to use wikis is to create a repository of resources, such as my wiki:  The Resource Depot.

Have you found a favorite wiki that you enjoy using?

Instructional Uses For Class Blogs

Below is a list of ways to incorporate blogs for instructional purposes.

• Post class information: calendars, events, assignments 
• Post assignments related to literature readings ( or readings for a course); students would respond on their blogs (portfolio) 
• Place prompts for writing assignments 
• Examples of previous assignments; students place completed assignments to share 
• Place online readings for students to read and react/respond 
• Repository of resources for course 
• Links to Internet resources with annotated information on resources 
• Post videos, pictures, with comments on course activities 
• Recognize excellent work by students (e.g. art poetry, creative stories)

Instructional Uses For Reflective Blogs

•Reflect on Teaching Experiences/Field Experiences

•Keep a Log of Teacher-Training/Training-In-Field Experiences

•Write a description of specific teaching unit

•Provide tips for others based on one’s experiences

•Provide how-to-do: on lab session; specific piece of equipment 

  for lab; using specific piece of technology

•Exploring important issues for specific field (science, education, etc.)

Pedagogy For Blogs and Wikis

Before we continue taking a look at how to incorporate blogs into the classroom for instructional purposes, I would like to briefly share some pedagogical practices for using blogs and wikis as well as two resources/sources I have found to be very effective not only in relation to blogs and wikis but also incorporating Web 2.0 tools in general.


Below is a list of pedagogical strategies:

•Constructivist Tool

•Learning Beyond Classroom

•Archive Learning and Metacognitive Analysis

•Organized

•Democratic Tool

•Expertise on Subject

•Exposure To New Literacies

•Problem-Solving

•Project-Based Learning

•Collaborative Learning

Below are two resources/sources I find indispensable:

•Will Richardson's Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools 

  For Classrooms

•Lynne Schrum and Gwen Solomon's Web 2.0 How-To For Educators.