Wiki+Reflection

=Wiki Reflection - Creating my first Wiki= Well, first let me say, that even as a technology teacher, this was a daunting task. I've used (or rather visited) wikispaces before, but never have I created my own. I've read blogs and used KidBlog with my students, but never have I thought of blogging on my own. I mean, I've tried, but there is so much to learn //just// about that part of the world, that it seems like I would never finish. After creating this space and getting used to the navigation, I could see how it could be useful. Before I would commit to using this for professional reasons, I would definitely want to familiarize myself better with the possibilities for a Wiki. I explored a little bit of the settings tab, but it seems like there is so much that I didn't even get to while working on this project. I also wonder if there is a more user friendly version of Wiki out there? I found that navigating Wikispaces to create my page was rather difficult. I think I would be more interested in using it on a regular basis if it was laid out in a more logical way.

Students could definitely make use of something like Wikispaces for student-centered learning and problem solving. It would be a great way to collaborate and share information with others as they discover information and report their findings. They could share one account and each take responsibility for laying out a page. In line with an NTeQ lesson, they could draft a layout for their Wiki on paper and then each tackle a section. Classmates could comment on their progress and information presented. They would also be able to embed Podcasts or Videos they create. I think it would be a great opportunity to teach Copyright and Fair Use as well, since students can cite sources rather easily on a Wikispace. However, I am not sure that I would implement this right away in my classroom. I can see myself having difficulty explaining the "how tos" to my students at this point. If I'm having trouble with it, I'm most certain that my students would as well. Maybe there is an easier way to tackle this? Maybe I should continue reading and watching tutorial videos about it? The idea behind it is great and I would love to make use of it if possible.

Image courtesy of bredgur via Fotopedia