Creation Activity ~ Wikis

Getting Started

I'm getting started on my first Wiki. So far I've been able to create a WikiSpaces.com account, and begin using the Editor. As you can see from the screen snapshot above, the Editor toolbar is similar to other blogging tools and word processing icons. If you have ever uploaded files, that process will also be familiar. The "Manage Wiki" button allows additional options such as changing the theme and the logo; the first few steps of the wiki walk do not appear too difficult.

Wikis in Education

While educators value technology, concern over student safety has shifted the educational use of technology so that it is far removed from actual business practice. As is America’s educational tradition, students often spend much of their time quietly working alone on projects and worksheets. Control issues or learning new tools are other reasons that blogs or other collaborative technologies are seldom utilized by K – 12 educators. Richardson thinks that we need to teach wiki skills to our students because that empowering process “can help our students become better learners” (Richardson, p. 58, 2009).

Wikis certainly provide opportunities for educators wishing to start small. An educator might begin by creating an “in-house” wiki for a small group or classroom. Those involved may acquire improved collaboration, negotiation, reading, writing, and thinking skills. On a larger scale, teachers may have their students collaborate with others outside of the school environment or contribute new information to the world’s body of knowledge. As educators we have much to do if we are to create an educational environment that mirrors the world of work.

The following is the URL to my WikiSpaces page:

http://wiki-walk.wikispaces.com/

References:

Richardson, W. (2009). Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms. Thousand Oaks, California: Corwin Press.