Here is the wiki link.
http://vanessahemson.wikispaces.com/
Just thought that I should reflect on the wiki I created. It is now one week or so that my wiki has been in operation so here is a quick summary of the pluses and minuses of this style of ICT.
Pluses
- Quick to create and add content with a minimum of fuss
- Easy to operate and navigate
- I got a sense of the excitement that kids might feel when something they create actually becomes live and real and other people contribute
- Great way of bringing the outside world into the classroom and discovering new perspectives.
- The wiki is always current and can be added to continually so the learning process seems relevant all the time.
- Students will improve their writing skills and research knowing the content can be read by all.
- Encourages problem solving and creative writing.
- Collaborative approach encourages critical thinking.
- Wikis integrate learning and ICT use.
- Connectivist through contact with whole wide world and constructivist in the way groups of students create meaning.
- Ongoing nature of wiki allows adequate time for continued reflection.
Minuses
- TIME - I spent a good deal of time reformatting, retrieving lost content and re-touching things that had been mucked around when people went in and edited. This could potentially become very time consuming depending on the size of the wiki, the age and technical skill of the users.
- Content is open to vandalism and sabotage.
- Copyright - who is ultimately liable for breaches of copyright the creator or the contributor?
- Plagiarism - how do you know that people's ideas and contributions are their own.
- Little face to face interaction.
- Students need to be educated about the issues above. Plagiarism, referencing other people's work on the wiki. Referencing any images, text and data.
- Students need to be made aware of uploading their own personal information to the wiki. It has a world wide audience. Be mindful of their digital footprint.
All in all I really enjoyed the wiki. I found it quicker and easier than a website, much more interactive and collaborative and really flexible with regards to adding content and links etc.
Ideas for use in classroom
- As an online class collaborative text book.
- Cross cultural opportunities for students around the world to share information
- A quick and easy way for information to be distributed to many ( could even be used for class timetables, reflections on lessons of the day etc.
- Group assignments
- Pre class assignments - students access material on a wiki that will be covered in class. Allows them to look before class, participate in class and then reflect online when it is done.
Ethical, safe and legal issues associated with wikis.
In terms of operating safe, legally and ethically it should be noted that trust is a key issue of the use of any wiki. “Trust the people, trust the processes and enable trust building” says Fasso (2011) Students will need to be educated about ‘netiquette’. This is the use of appropriate etiquette when operating within the World Wide Web. Students should be encouraged to develop a set of rules outlining proper behavior when creating or contributing to a wiki. Consequences should also be discussed; these include those that might occur within the school, and more serious breaches which may involve outside intervention.
- Being a read write tool makes wikis particularly susceptible to vandalism. Copyright and plagiarism may also become issues as anyone can contribute to the site. Uploading information to wikis involves copying and communicating material. Teachers must continue to monitor content and educate students about referencing any images or work that is not their own. Some wikis may be blocked within school systems. Before embarking on any project teachers should familiarise themselves with the schools policy on the use of wikis in eLearning. Lastly, work and valuable time may also be lost through poor editing. Students should be shown how to retrieve lost information on the wiki site.
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