Wow Wiki

Wiki's are yet another useful tool to communicate ideas, information and opinions. I have found them a little confusing though and I am still trying to figure out a few things. Wiki is yet another tool that teacher's are able to use in the classroom. However, teacher's would need to ensure they scaffolded the lesson so that student's have a good understanding of how a Wiki works. Once students had this understanding they could use it to display projects and collaborate with other students. The active learning pyramid (2000) shows that fifty percent of information is retained by discussion groups. Wiki provided a great platform for students to hold discussions with other students, teachers and professionals. Wiki could be used as the platform for an investigation set by the teacher that required students to work in collaborative groups to complete. These completed investigations could be forwarded onto professionals in that field for their input and opinion on the students work. By using Wiki for an investigation of this type students are engaging in learning activities that 'emphasizes team effort that involves communication, planning, management and social skills' (Kearsley & Shneiderman, 1999) as well as making the investigation a creative and purposeful task. Students would also gain a great sense of accomplishment and pride when they recieved feedback from a professinal in this field not just the teacher.

Wiki is a great tool for the classroom but I think would only be suitable for upper grade students. In order for the learning experinece to be engaging teachers would need to ensure all studetns have a clear understanding of how Wiki's work or student's would become disengaged and disinterested.

References:

ACU Adams Center for Teaching Excellence. (2000) Active learnng online. Retrieved July 29, 2009, http://www.acu.edu/cte/activelearning/whatisal.htm

Kearsley, G & Shneiderman, B (1999). Engagement Theroy: A framework for teachnology-based teaching and learning. Retrieved July 29th, 2009, from CQUniversity e-courses, FAHE 11001 Active learning & learning diversity. http://moodle.cqu.edu.au/mod/resource/view.php?id=580