I have often times heard my teachers or peers talk about wikis. However, until now, I was very confused as to what they actually were. I knew about Wikipedia, but I did not realize it had a connection with wikis (even though the first part of the name is Wiki). I had an English professor that used a website to upload all of our assignments and lecture notes. I am just now recognizing that he was using a wiki. From reading the lecture notes about Web 2.0, I have come to realize what a wiki actually is, and I must say, I am intrigued by it. Watching the video, Wiki in Plain English, the concept of a wiki was solidified for me. I think a wiki is an awesome tool. While I don’t see it being a great tool for a math class, it can be an awesome tool for classes such as History or English. In the book, an example called the Holocaust Wiki Project was described. This example is a great way to use a wiki. It really got the students involved and actually learning the material. I think it would be difficult to incorporate a wiki or a blog into my classroom. One way that a wiki might be used in math is for the students to be able to develop their own study outlines of what they need to know. Each student can add whatever he or she thinks is necessary to know for a test. A blog could be used to discuss theorems or formulas. Students could post homework problems they are having issues with on either the blog or the wiki and allow other students to provide their input on how it can be solved. While these are possible ways to use a blog or wiki in my classroom, I am not sure whether I want to. It could turn out great and work really well, or it could be a total disaster. It would just depend on how much risk I am willing to take to incorporate this technology.
When I first saw the term, social bookmarking, I thought it was going to be some really complicated thing with the Internet. However, after watching Lee Lefever’s video, Social Bookmarking in Plain English, I found that it was a much simpler task than I originally thought. I think it is a great tool for teachers and students alike. As he pointed out, websites one teacher finds may be useful for another teacher as well. Through social bookmarking, they can share their favorite websites with each other and with other teachers. I believe this would be a great resource for students as well. If a teacher finds a website that can help students study for an upcoming test or better understand a concept, he or she can share it with the students. I believe social bookmarking could be very useful in my classroom. I am sure there will be some students to understand something and will need a little extra help. If this tool will help them to learn, then I will definitely take advantage of it. As for VoiceThread, I think it is a really great idea. I like how there are so many different methods to comment. I would definitely be interested in trying this out in my classroom. This would be an awesome way for the students to help each other solve homework problems. The student that is having a hard time could post a picture of the problem and then his or her classmates could respond in a number of ways as to how to solve it. I think this is a tool that I would really like to try out. It seems really fun and easy to do. I think students would love it.
After reading about Tapped In, I think it sounds like a great way for teachers to communicate with one another. As the book states, “Teacher isolation has long been an obstacle to the exchange of ideas and information in the teaching profession.” (page 128) Teachers rarely have time to communicate with one another during the school day. There are usually only a few minutes between classes and short conference periods (which teachers of the same subject rarely have at the same time). Tapped In seems like a great solution to that problem. Teachers can sign on and share their ideas and information with a wealth of other teachers. Personally, I have not explored it yet but I would definitely like to. There are also sections on there where students can connect with one another as well. The book talked about students from China asking to communicate with students from other countries. I wish I had the chance in high school to do this. I would love to know what school is like in other countries. Overall, this seems like a great way for information and ideas to be shared with one another. It is helpful to have a community of people supporting you and you supporting them. From what the book says, Tapped In is a very widely used and well liked resource for experts, teachers, and students alike. I look forward to exploring it.
Jonassen, DJ, Howland, JH, Marra, RM, & Crismond, DC (2008). Meaningful Learning with Technology. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson.
Lefever, L. (Producer), (2007). Wikis in Plain English. Available from http://commoncraft.com
Lefever, L. (Producer), (2007). Social Bookmarking in Plain English. Available from http://dailymotion.com
Unknown producer. (2007). VoiceThread Introduction. Available from http://voicethread.com
(to view the video just click where it says “Collaboration made simple.”)
It seems as though Teacher isolation is longer an issue with the internet and all the available resources and forums including Tapped In. It kind of makes me feel as though it will be an easier process than it ever has been to be a first year teacher or even a student teacher soon enough. Being able to relate to others and communicate, discussing ideas about this or that, and how to get over a problem in the classroom will be a great reassurance that we as the new generation of teachers will be great.
ReplyDeleteI have not explored Tapped In but I will. It does seems to be a very widely used resource for professionals, teachers, and students.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading how you would incorporate wikis into a math classroom. I agree that it may be difficult, but math has always been a difficult subject for me and any online assistance always helps me. I took an online math class with some software and I did really well because it showed me step by step what I needed to do.
ReplyDeleteI, too, was interested to learn about wikis this week. I have had several instructors use them in class, but I have never personally posted on one. I think it could be an interesting tool for me to use in my English classroom.
ReplyDeleteI also like the idea of Tapped In. It would be great to get advice from peers and experienced teachers when entering the classroom.
great quote about Tapped In! i liked it also! I love the idea of TApped In, I have never heard of this before and it sounds like a really great resource to use!
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