In using wikis in the classroom, the first thing that every teacher is concerned about is securing the Wiki so that it is not tainted by vandals with inappropriate additions to the wiki. This can be secured through “…Web-based wiki sites that feature a password and login system similar to Weblogs….Or similar software can be installed on your server and run locally” (Richardson, Will. (2006). Wikis in schools. Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms, p. 64).
Richardson states in his book that Wikis are a very “democratic process of knowledge creation (p. 65).” In using wikis, the students:
1. learn how to publish content
2. learn to use collaborative skills
3. learn to negotiate with other on correctness, meaning, and relevance
4. (in some cases) teach each other
The most obvious use of a wiki in the classroom is to present a piece of the curriculum and have the students contribute, edit, and publish the information as it pertains to that curriculum. Defining vocabulary or concepts, contributing to literature circles, collaborative book reports, problem solving, spreadsheets, and many more collaborations can be created on a classroom wiki. As a former English teacher, I would have celebrated using a wiki to get students to edit each others work. It makes students problem solvers, create thinkers, as well as collaborators. They not only edit the wiki but must also support their ideas and contributions. A wiki makes the students responsible for their own learning. Teachers know that we don’t teach, we facilitate learning. The old saying that “you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make them drink” applies to most teaching. In the case of using wikis for classroom learning, the horse (student) must drink (think and learn) the water (the idea or concept). Check this site out about classroom management and teaching.
Finally, wikis can be used to collaboratively write curriculum with colleagues throughout the school district. As a classroom teacher, I used to hate long drawn out curriculum meetings where we had to listen to everyone’s opinion. There was always that one person who domineered the meeting. In the case of using wikis, the curriculum can be written and edited from your school or home computer taking less time away from the classroom.
We as educators must educate ours and embrace all forms of social networking. Use of wikis and blogs will better prepare our students for the real world in lieu of rote memorization and static learning.
Check out this review of Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms.
