Wiki is not a new word to me and I knew its general meaning and application when the assignment for this week popped up. I knew of Wikipedia and a few other wiki sites, but I had never actually participated in using and creating a page of my own. My first attempts at logging in and even editing went fantastically. I enjoyed the simple formatting, but also the fact that, within the simplicity of the design, there were choices for me as an editor of the page. I also enjoyed the fact that my group members and I could collaboratively work on making a page that showcased our individual thoughts and ideas, but, in they end, they were showcased together seamlessly as one. Now, sounds like I love the thing, right? Then came the problems.
On the second day of my attempts at making some wiki edits, I tried logging in. The website said it recognized my email and allowed me to log in, but did not allow me any editing privileges. So, I tried again. And, again. What to do? As much as I enjoyed being able to work with my partners from separate locations, I was suddenly faced with the fact that I was having a problem and didn’t know how to fix it. I am one of those people that like to be able to solve things myself, and I like to get work done when I say I am going to do it (sorry, group) so I panicked just a little. I felt helpless as I couldn’t solve the problem myself. Finally, Brian and I figured it out, but the whole second experience left a bad taste in my mouth. Another bad taste…I did not like the fact that we were competing for time to edit, as was the case with one of my partners and I. It was frustrating to know that we couldn’t be working at the same time, and either way, someone was unable to do their job at the time of another.
However, now that you made it through all that ranting and raving, I really do view wiki’s as a great tool that can be used by many of today’s teachers and students, even fairly young students. As with most middle schoolers who love to talk and share with their peers, I think creating a wiki project for my students would be an activity that my students would get highly involved in and excited about. In trying to relate a wiki idea to something I am currently working on with my Science students, I think using a wiki to explore the metric system would help my students to take their textbook knowledge to a higher level in which they could synthesize what they know and are learning in order to demonstrate their mastery of the subject. Each student group could be assigned a type of measurement within the metric system and provide definitions, examples, explorations of ways in which we use (and don’t use, in the U.S.) the system in the real world, and the importance of the metric system in all areas of life (not just science). They could also develop pages in which they could debate the reasons we should or shouldn’t adopt the system fully in the United States. It would be interesting to see, although all starting from the same basic templates, what the students would produce as a group, how they would split up their time and topic areas, and what the end product would actually be. My middle schoolers (and I) would love the personalization of it all.
Even with my earlier struggles, or maybe because of them, I really do look forward to helping my own students learn and create using wikis. And with that thought, I am also very thankful that I have a school that puts its money where its mouth is when it comes to technology integration. I am thankful every day.
PS - Thanks to my group members for putting up with me when I was frustrated (sorry about all the posts) as well as for your time and committment to working as a group to get things done. I know you dont always get so lucky in projects like these.
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6 comments:
I am going to start out teaching my students to snail mail with pen pals; then, I am going to teach them to blog with their pen pals; and finally I am going to teach them to set up a wiki to use with their pen pals giving their pen pals in China access to edit so that my students can post work they are doing here and the Chinese students can post work they are doing there for my student to see. I am not sure, because I have not talked to my Chinese teacher friend, Lily, but if she doesn't know how to do a wiki I will try and teach her long distance! This is going to be a major undertaking but I am going to try it.
I also initially had some problems getting into the wiki, but when it was all said and done it was a good learning experience and I agree that wiki's are a great tool.
I liked your use of the "boxes" in your section of "links for better understanding". I went to several of the links and they all provided great information about each. I also appreciated the "acronyms" section. Great job on your wiki.
Michelle
Thanks for the comments you left on my blog regarding the use of wikis in my classroom. It sounds like you and I share "the passion and adventure for teaching and for our students." I think it's important for students to see how things work, not always having everything run smoothly. I would be doing them disservice to prepare them for the real world, by always showing them a "perfect setting." So far we have attempted the wiki as a means of turning work in, and it served it's purpose.
I also had a couple of problems with the wiki, each time I tried to login, the password wouldn't work. I had to reset the password each time I logged in. Once inside, it was smooth sailing until Monique was also working at the same time I wanted to work, this just challenged me to work at different times.
I hope you measurement activity works, I am also experimenting with teaching measurement. When my daughter gets up to middle school, I hope she has you as a teacher since we live in Paw Paw.
Michelle,
I agree that when technology is not working properly or the way we want it to, it can be extremely frustrating. Sometimes technology is a blessing and a curse all at the same time. I'm sure we've all had those types of experiences before. While I didn't have these with the wiki, I can completely relate to what you're saying.
I really like your measurement project idea. Sometimes learning about measurement isn't the most exciting topic, but I think this would help a lot. I also really like the idea of doing a debate about whether we should completely adopt it in the United States. It seems like you are really using your resources to enhance the learning of your students.
Michelle,
I agree with you completely about having to share editing time. That wasn't a problem for me but I can't say it wasn't in the back of my head.Also the part where I could spend time doing editing and the next person could come along and re edit all my work scared me. Anyway it looks like your groups project turned out great.
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