Wikis in the Classroom

I’d seen Vickie Davis’ Flat Classroom Wiki last year when taking another class called, “Trends in Technology” and was very much impressed with it. It was a video class, so I watched a segment where Davis and her collaborating teacher, Julie Lindsey, in Bangladesh were interviewed regarding how the project evolved. I found the student interviews to be the most inspiring. Students were interacting with each other from across the world just as if they were sitting in the same classroom. The implications of this type of collaboration are amazing. If these young people can find common ground despite their differences, then there may be hope for the leaders of different countries to seek common ground. I was also a bit jealous that their districts allowed such dialogue whereas mine does not. While safety is an issue, it shouldn’t stop the progress that this type of project can create.

The group wiki has been challenging in several ways. Getting started was the first hurdle but that was quickly remedied. Deciding on the topic was relatively easy but it still required a few emails. As we are in the thick of getting the elements together on the page, I’ve yet to realize how the mutual editing will proceed but I think that once that gets rolling it won’t be difficult. It might be a little confusing though!

I’ve always had a fondness for Wikipedia and don’t feel it should be avoided when researching. I guess what’s changed is my knowledge of how it can be used by students to teach them good online research skills. While it is time-consuming to fact-check, I think many adults could learn a lesson like this as well. Keep an open mind and check out the references are good skills for anyone to use when researching.

I know my media specialist doesn’t like Wikipedia and tells the students not to use it, as do many teachers in my school. I am planning on creating a workshop next year on using Wikipedia in the classroom. I think getting to the teachers first might be a harder sell than the kids, but in the end everyone will have a better idea of how to use the site properly.