A WIKI is basically a web page housed on the Internet that contains information that can be used by many users simultaneously. The information and organization of a Wiki can be updated or changed by the users. Wikis are usually created and used as a collaboration tool. Personally, I’ve used Wikis as Pathfinders, Web Quests and as a collaboration tool. I’ve seen them used as school web pages, media center and departmental pages. And, of course, there’s Wikipedia. You may have already used Wikipedia often to obtain information. You may not have realized, though, that it is a collaboration tool that can be accessed and edited by anyone.
The applications of a Wiki for the media center are boundless. A Wiki can be set up almost like a web page that allows access for all different kinds of lessons, resources, links, forms, blogs, activities and information. In this respect it can also be used as a collaboration tool, allowing teachers and other stakeholders to update and edit. Some might view this ability to edit in a negative light, by not wanting others to change certain materials. There are ways to limit the users allowed to make edits.
One interesting area that I’ve read about recently is that textbooks are showing up as Wikis. There are many benefits to this. This saves the expense of printing books that soon become outdated. Wiki textbooks can be accessed 24/7 by parents and students. Student backpacks can also be lightened greatly if students are accessing their texts electronically at home. One other aspect that I recently heard about on a documentary about school textbooks is that it may be possible for teachers to be able to pick and chose which parts of textbooks are used for certain learnings. For example, in a Wiki containing numerous textbooks from different publishers, certain chapters from one might be used one week; other chapters from another the next.
I have never heard of textbooks being on wikis. It is an interesting concept. I am sure it will become more and more acceptable. My main concern is students without access to internet. I know many people say that the students can go to the public library but parents of those students tend to be too busy working to take their child to the public library. It is just one of those things we have to take into consideration when making purchases of items like ebooks and online textbooks.
ReplyDeleteA lot of time and work can be spent putting together a Wiki that can be changed or deleted. This would definitely be an issue that would have to be addressed right away to the users, so that valuable information won't be lost. There is also the chance that teachers collaborating on a lesson might be hesitant to edit another person's work. This could be a problem as well.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea that textbooks could be put on a wiki, but like Patti said, we have to be aware that some of our students would not have access to the internet. I think something that could be cool about textbook wikis, would be that teachers (and students on some level) could post links to other resources or information that could be useful - I think social studies and science teachers would find this particularly useful.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with Cynthia that some teachers might not want to edit another person's work on a wiki, but we should keep in mind that maybe we should emphasis commenting and suggesting, rather than completely changing what someone has created.
The only other concern with a wiki that I could express would be about student safety - we know there are people out there that could use the information on our wikis to possibly find our students - we need to see how we can protect their privacy and make sure our students are aware of that issue as well!
Upon doing the research about Wiki's I have also read that they can be used as textbooks. "Collaborative Textbooks" was one of the ideas that Becky Small had suggested in her article "Wiki in a K-12 Classroom". I think this would be a great way to save a tremendous amount of money but just as others have commented we would need to make sure that all students would have access to a computer. Perhaps this is where the media specialist could step in and have extended hours in the media center so that students without Internet access would be able to come to the media center and use the computers either before or after school. Also with having a textbook as a Wiki, I think it would be extremely important that only specific people would have the authorization to change the content. The last thing that we want is for students to be accessing incorrect information.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting! I have definitely not heard about the textbook wiki options. Your focus on collaboration with "others" made me think about opportunities for parent and community input on different topics and issues. I wonder if using it as a place for ideas for groups such as student council and PTO might be productive. It reminds me of Google docs in the way that people that have access can contribute and edit. It is great for groups compiling and working on something together!
ReplyDeleteI have the same comment of the fact that all students may not have access to the internet to view the online textbooks. However, I see another potential problem. I would think that a online textbook would violate copyright laws. I know that our reading textbook, which we purchased, has a website that has an online version of the textbook. However, even this book does not have the entire story. It only includes a summary. If the company that published the book can't put it on their site I don't see how the book would be able to be put on a Wiki. I like the idea of having the books accessible but I am wondering if it would be violating any copyright laws.
ReplyDeleteLike everyone before me, I have never heard of text books being presented online in the form of a Wiki. I am unsure as to how this would created and used successfully. I think I mainly question why it is presented as a Wiki. As April said, there are books out there that offer their books with an online format. Many publishers are now offering a cheaper option of purchasing the material as an online ebook but still have the choice of the hard copy book. Perhaps there could be a 50/50 combination for online books vs. print? Students have different learning styles and the public school systems are to adapt around these. I personally prefer a hard copy book, but I also enjoy money. Out of my own pocket, I would choose ebook; if provided for me, I would choose hard copy. It will be interesting to see how the printed/online materials dynamic changes as the years pass and technology grows.
ReplyDeleteAlso, April brought up the point about copyright laws. Mentioned earlier was the idea of providing materials on a topic from several different sources. While I agree this would be a great idea to see a wide range of coverage, differing depths, and possible biases, I do not see how this would be arranged into a Wiki without infringing these laws.
You are the first person to mention that one can limit others from editing a wiki page. Good news to my ears. This was a major issue with me because people will add texts to your page that you might not want. I also did not know schools use wiki as a source for a textbook. This will save the school money but will add cost to parents that have to print out all of the material. I do agree that using a wiki as a source for textbooks would allow parents to get more involved with their children schoolwork.
ReplyDeleteThe wiki is new to me. Other than the wikipedia, I didn't know it existed until this class. I see it as a great collaboration tool, a web page, a bulletin board. I sure the uses are endless. I like the idea of decreasing the burden of the bookbags which are carried by the students. I'm not sure that I like the idea of textbooks wikis, especially if information could be changed by users. The integrity of the product would be lost. A textbook on a device such as the kindle would be better. Anyway, what little I have experienced about wikis has been good.
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