Week 4 - Wikis - Reflections

Wow, wikis are a lot to take in. I'm going to post my reflections - but I'll keep looking at this and trying my hand at the class wiki.

1. Develop a personal definition of a wiki on your blog.
A wiki is a web page that can be edited online by more than just the owner of the page. Editing privileges can be limited to members of a group, allowing the group to collaborate on the development of the page material.

2. Choose 3 of the wikis listed above to review in your blog -

Teach WIKI
http://teachwiki.wikispaces.com/
The purpose is to centralize information and planning for technology integration – including this class.
The wiki has clear cut instructions and is directly useful to this class. This serves as a good example of how a wiki could be organized that I might be able to follow.
MathTips
http://mathtips.wikispaces.com/ -
I liked this one because it has clear cut examples of problems and integrates audio and video to show children how to solve math problems. I can see the use of the kind of technology in setting up something like a on-line study guide or example of problem solving for precal. I wonder if this is the sort of thing that the photostory program could be used to produce

Welcome to the World
http://welcometotheworld.wikispaces.com/
I really like the idea of developing a class wiki where each page is a specific sub –topic. This wiki links to class wikis. Within each class wikis the kids write the text. For my stat class last year I had pairs of kids develop and deliver lessons on assigned topics. I can see doing this sort of assignment but using the wiki format. That would make it easier for kids who are afraid to talk in front of the class.
Reflection questions


o What did you learn?
I learned what a wiki is – which is something I did not know and I learned at least one of the basic place to host a wiki for free.
o How will you use what you have learned?
I'm not sure about how I'll use this. In theory we need a way for on-level statistics teachers to talk to each other and collaborate (getting math teachers to collaborate is one of those herding cats things). This is easy to do on one campus – we can use the i: drive to share information – and as a last resort we can actually talk to each other. But across campuses it isn't that easy. I know there are curriculum management tools on Gradespeed, but they are not the easiest thing to use and Gradespeed has been known to eat lesson plans and curriculum maps. So maybe a RRISD statistics wiki might be worthwhile – although I don't know if other stat teachers would use it or think it is worthwhile. Umm, making work for other people is a bad thing – but I wonder if this is something that the district curriculum specialists could run? Once upon a time in a previous life as a materials engineer at IBM materials people (who are weird even for engineers) had an internal forum and we did help each other out – engineers could ask questions and get answers. But again –back to herding cats – as an engineering student you are whacked over the head with a 2x4 and forced to learn to be cooperative – I think this is harder for teachers.

I also like the idea of "make a wiki page" as an assignment. The kids are pretty computer savvy and if I could set up a good framework for the subject it might be useful. On other hand, we're looking at higher level thinking skills and I'm not sure how filling in blanks on a page format works at this level. Perhaps rather than doing a micropedia, this might be a way to have them do something like reviews of statistical papers.
o How did you feel about this tool? Wikis
I think wikis can be really useful, but like so many tools the set up time is intimidating. Sorting out what sort of content is needed (or making the framework for the kids to enter the content) is daunting to me. Also, the comments about making sure that one doesn't violate the acceptable use policy is sort of scary. I worry about privacy for the kids – and not doing something wrong unintentionally.
o What do you not want to forget about this tool?
I don't want to forget how to access wikispace – I didn't know sites like that existed – and it's existence makes it practical to have a wiki
o How can this be used in the classroom or in your educational role?
I'm not sure how I'll use this tool. The privacy and acceptable use worries are a concern. On the other hand, making a wiki page on a topic is the sort of thing my little weasels might enjoy – and it would be a good use of the intelligent classroom computers. I need to look at the syllabus – and talk to the other person who will be teaching grade-level statistics at McNeil – and see if between us we can come up with ideas. Also, the AP stat teacher and I have talked about maybe doing something where my kids do the basic work and then her kids pick up and extend the work. Again, I need another person's ideas on how to do this.
o Should you use this in the classroom or your educational role?
Now that's a good question. Do I have a way to use wikis that further educational rather than just use technology for technologies sake. If the answer is yes, then I'd say, yes I should use them.
o What questions do you still have about this tool?
How much work is this going to be? Set up and maintenance – how much time will it take? Who can I con into helping me?