Creating online Collaboration through Wikis
Terrell, S. (2012). Collaborative learning through Wikis. Learning & Leading with Technology, 39(5), 34-35.
In this article, Shelly Terrell discusses an easy way to incorporate collaborative online learning into the classroom via Wikis. Shelley stresses that Wikis are free and easy to manage and allow students to personalize the way they learn while still connecting with their peers at all times. Using Wikis, students are able to use various tools such as Wallwisher (digital sticky notes of videos, images, links, etc.), Twtpoll (survey of peers), photopeach (animated slideshow), fotobabble (narrative of images) and Google tools along with many other widgets. Shelly Notes that giving students the freedom to use these tools and widgets gives them the ability to create their own virtual classroom that can be accessed 24/7. Beyond that, all tools available in Wikis encourage collaboration with the exchanging of course material and personal stories that allow students to get to know one another better.
When creating your classWiki, Shelly notes that it is important you give your students a say in the design as they will be more inclined to explore and share information on the Wiki if they helped to create it. In concluding Shelley’s thoughts and reason for writing the article, it is clear she firmly believes in the use of Wikis to increase online collaboration. Shelly is successful in proving her point that Wikis are a great tool for online collaboration in the classroom because she gives consistently clear example of how and why Wikis increase classroom collaboration. Whether it be videos, chats, classroom forums, or one of the countless widgets, Wikis are a great way to take classroom collaboration virtual.
In finding a personal connection with this article, I had to look no further than the Education 422 course I am in right now where on the first day we created our own blogs to share class material and relevant personal information. I am seeing first hand right now that Wikis and/or blogs are a great way to increase class collaboration through exchanging of ideas and opinions. With that said, I would do the same in my classroom, having students create their own Wikis to make the class more interactive and also keep parents up to speed on what is happening in the class.
Finally, Shelly’s articles relates to NETS-S standard 2. A and B “A-interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts, or others employing a variety of digital environments and media. B-communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media and formats”.
I think that Shelley is right about using Wikis to keep kids engaged, though I wonder if some of the less tech-savvy students thought she was saying that Wikipedia was ok as well. In any case, I agree with you that making a blog really does increase the level of collaboration between students. It can never hurt to allow them a safe place on the internet to discuss what they're learning. I think for your classroom, since you're going to be an English teach (right?), having your students write a blog or use Wikis could blend in with your lesson very well!
ReplyDeleteI think a key point is allowing students to do these activities in their own way, rather than merely following the teacher's script. This way, students will likely to see personal meanings and purposes in using technology in their learning; they are less likely to treat it as busy work or "just another assignment." Of course, the teacher can provide some guidelines.
ReplyDeleteRong-Ji