Quick Wiki Summary!
Wikis, web pages editable by everyone, are often a good source of information. There are many downfalls though. Since wikis can be edited by anyone that accesses the site, the information is sometimes wrong or biased. This does not make for a good research resource for students
Classroom Scenario:
Sarah and her team have been working on their project since the second week of class. To make things go more smoothly, Sarah introduced her teammates to the concept of a wiki. She used a wiki last semester and appreciated the way you can share and collaborate on documents without special software or training. She also liked the fact that the wikis are Web pages, making links to references very handy.
The team members liked the fact that anyone on the team can browse and modify the wiki with nothing more specialized than a Web browser. One person can post a rough draft document online while the others can correct and contribute.
Sarah and her team are impressed with how easy it is to add, modify, or delete material from the wiki. There is no HTML to learn or any programming interface to master. It is an easily accessible site. Everyone on the team can read and react to information being generated and add modifications or corrections. And, since their wikis live on the Web, the team can work on the assignment at any time from any location offering an internet connection.
Sarah did caution her team to be mindful of deleting information; she had once inadvertently wiped out someone else's contribution without realizing what had happened.
Because of the wiki, Sarah and her team are now sure they have completed a thorough investigation of their project and now have something to contribute beyond a simple class project.
7 things you should know about Wikis:
What it is: a Web page that can be viewed and modified by anybody with a web browser and access to the internet.
Who's doing it: Scientists, engineers, faculty and staff of higher education, educators, students, artists, writers, collectors, professionals and more.
How it works: By using CGI script and a collection of plain text files, we are allowed to create web pages "on the fly"
Where it is going: Collaborative spaces that may become semi-authoritative voices on particular topics. Wikipedia is one of the most famous.
Why it is significant: Because wikis grow and evolve as a result of people adding material, they can address a variety of pedagogical needs (student involvement, group activities, etc.)
What the implications are for learning and teaching: Provides students with direct and immediate access to a site's content, which is important for group editing and other collaborative projects. Wikis help promote 'pride of authorship'. Wikis can be used as portfolios. Other uses: editing a textbook, preparing a journal, assembling a syllabus, etc.
What the downsides are: Site's are monitored closely to catch unwanted content (such as inappropriate language, spam, incorrect/inappropriate content. Having it monitored so closely is time consuming and personnel-intensive. Wikis have a collaborative bias; opinions, values, and perspectives become a large part of a wiki.
A Further Look Into Wikis:
Wiki has been around since the mid- 1990's, and originally used by scientists and engineers. It is a Web page that can be viewed and modified by anybody in real-time format, with a Web browser and access to the Internet. Wikis provide both author and editor privileges, and the user is able to incorporate sounds, movies, and pictures. It works by a combination of CGI script and plain text files that allows users to create Web pages. As you may guess there can be some draw backs with this system one being that it can be edited by anyone and that it has to be closely monitored. It also represents the collective perspective of the group that uses it, and may be bias. In the future Wikis can be used by faculty to do projects together, which might include writing textbooks, or journal articles without having to be in the same area and doing so in real time.
17 comments:
Your incorporation of the classroom scenario was a good original idea. I also liked how you started the post with a "quick" summary!Good job guys!
I like what you did with your summary. You didn't say that this is a good reference for students research, just a way they can learn how to do research. It was very creative and fun to read!
Your blog is very informative. I deffinetly agree with you that it is not a good reference for students. I too stated that i would not like my students to use it as a source, just because some of the information are not facts. Great job! i enjoyed your blog a lot.
Great Job Group Four! Your article was very interesting! I like how you had a situation as an example for us to look at! But throughout the article you brought up how wikis are bias and can be vandalized very easily but I think its important to point out that it doesnt happen that often. I reall liked your summery though. But next time add some pictures for interest! Great Work Group Four!
The scenario was a good representation of a real life situation--especially the part where the text was inadvertently deleted. Until I read your blog, I didn't know that Wikipedia was originally used by scientists.
I like how you pick on the negative side of Wikis. Ive seen it happen. I also like the senerio in the classroom.
I like the 7 things you should know about Wikis area that you included. The points you made there were clear, and really stuck with me. I also like the classroom scenario you included, great idea.
I really like how you personalized it and gave a scenerio with real people. I also liked how you gave a quick summary in the beginning. It helps ease the reader into the blog!
Team five, you guys did a really good job. I liked the three different parts of your blog. The quick summary and the scenario, that was really creative. I also liked how you found some background information on wikis and where they originated from.
I am sorry I meant team four, not team 5.
I loved that you encorporated a "classroom scenario". That was way more interesting than just saying "People use wikis for this reason". Good job!
I also liked the "seven things to know about wikis". Very creative, team four!
I like how you guys incorporated something different in your blog. The addition of the classroom scenario was a great idea. This is a good way for the reader to be able to see how wikis would work and relate in their own classrooms. Your bolg was creative and fun to read. Good Job!
Liked the quick summary but to be honest the scenario kinda lost my attention but you guys got it back with the seven things we should know about wikis. The background and general info at the end was also short and to the point! great job!
I liked the classroom scenario. That was original. The article was a bit repetitive but was otherwise done very well. Wikis can be used by a variety of people for a whole range of projects and ideas for education purposes.
This article explained what a wiki is very well. It’s similar to a blog and can be read like a web site. All that needs to be used is a standard web browser. A wiki is an easy way to create a website for class projects. It’s an easy way to collect data and a great new technology.
I liked the classroom scenario and also the 7 things you should know about a wiki. It was all very informational. Good job on the set up too.
I liked the approach your group made with the project. Your introduction was great, and very informative. Also, great job with showing how teachers need to take caution to using wikis to the classroom. That was a really good idea.
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