Wiki

I was part of the Foundations of Information class last semester. Dr. Farmer had the group develop a wiki on pbwiki and post each week. It was very foreign for the first couple of weeks. We were responding to the information cycles during our week. It evolved into a response to our extensive readings for the class and how they related to our interpreting information in our everyday life. It was so helpful to read other class members insites and understandings. We did not meet often, but felt a real community and bond with the contributors. We each had our own page, and we each commented on another person's post each week. Best of all, it was EASY to manipulate. We had the basic free wiki; from the demonstration video, there are incredible features that can be added. About the third week the unspoken code was spoken, and we decided that as it was a class assignment, we would not edit another persons work, we would post comments. In our technology class documents/videos/podcast it states that a wiki is a work in progress and that everyone can edit each others work. I think that is purely democratic, but perhaps a bit too collaborative for a individually graded piece. Ours was more what Ms. Farkas described as a blog, in that while there was more than one contributor, those reading could only comment and not change the original post.

The video clips on the wiki appeard to pull from educators and perhaps one or two from business. I thought it important that the one fellow with the video cameras in the background did state that prior to developing the wiki there should be a solid discussion on ethical behavior, appropriateness, and copyright. I appreciated the man by the computers stating that it allow the person who couldn't finish in a period the opportunity to complete the task at home. This is good differientation and equity for the students.

I can see this being used the the classroom for collaborative projects. A means of gathering ideas and information in one place. Once the information was gathered, the group would design a product using the information to show understanding. Perhaps a reflection piece on the process, and an evaluation of the quality and authority of the information gathered would also be appropriate.

I can see the wiki being used in the library as a means to collaboratively gather input on what students initially know about copyright, moving to research on the topic, with a final reflection on how that relates to them in their academic and personal life. So many projects are done in group form, I think a wiki would be a common thread of work, a common storage area of all information gathered. Then, the group could complete their product. I think it would cut down on the copy and paste reports. With the postings being noted, the teacher would truly know who contributed what piece of information.

I can see that the district is going to have to move ahead on these tools. Evidently, schools in other districts, other states are utilizing this collaborative tool. How did the other areas figure out the internet safety issues?