The first step in my GAME plan was to set a goal. Reiterating my goal, it is to learn Wiki as a computer conferencing tool. The resources that will be needed to carry out my GAME plan would begin with contacting the school media librarian. Currently, since school vacation is in process I have emailed the school’s Library Technician to inquire information about using the computer as a conferencing tool. As I await a response I am encouraged to using self-directed learning strategies, therefore, I will begin visited Wiki spaces and navigate through their tools such as their discussion board. My concern would be how to arrange using Wikis so that I can assess each student’s participation. I am also inquiry of the school’s Library Technician on how to utilize our school’s program that has new APPS added to it that could possibly be consider as a conferencing tool.
Using a computer as a conferencing tool gives flexibility in my instruction that allows students with diverse learning abilities to have choices for learning. Ross (Laureate, 2009) affirmed that the use of technology in classroom instruction gives students of diverse learning abilities choices. For example, if I embed a podcast into a Wiki students who have difficulty with vision will have the option of learning their class instruction in another format other than reading printed text.
It is important to reach all students of diverse learning abilities and to give them the tools such as technology to create a learner-centered environment that promotes academic success for all students as mentioned by Cennamo, Ross and Ertmer, (2009).
References
Cennamo, K., Ross, J. & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology Integration for Meaningful Classroom Use: A Standards-Based Approach. (Laureate Education, Inc., Custom ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Integrating Technology Across the Content Areas. Baltimore: Author.
Sounds like you know exactly how to accomplish your goal of using a Wiki in your classroom instruction. You mention that you would like to access each students participation level. In addition, it sounds like you are wanting to provide a way for students to access assignments, instruction, and supplemental matrieals. Have you looked into classjump.com? It is an online resource for teachers to post lectures, podcasts, assingments, discussions, and monitor dates and times of when students participated. It is not a Wiki, but I think it can be used in a similar manner. I am not trying to disuade you from your goal regarding Wikis, but you might be able to reach some of your goals through class jump.
ReplyDeleteDoug Gunter
SS 6
Using that classjump is a new one for me. I learn something new every week. Thanks Doug.
ReplyDeleteFayette-I realize that you want to make it easy for you to share information with your students and for them to be able to access information and collaborate (Richardson, 2009). I think that this is a great idea, but could you also maybe find something here in this link below that might also be more towards what Doug have mentioned. You want it to be easy and useful. I like the collaboration.
http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/fil/pages/listweb20s.html
I have accessed a few of these for references for other teachers to use. If you have some free time check it out.
Marilyn Goodrich
K-12 Ed. Con.
Reference
Richardson, W. (2009). Blogs, wikis, & podcasts and other powerful web tools for classrooms (2nd Edition). Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.
Fayette,
ReplyDeleteTo gather ideas for my wiki, I will be checking the URL's from Doug and Marilyn. Their suggestions sound quite useful, and I am in need of the same answers as you in reworking my yearbook wiki.
I will send you an invitation to join my wiki so you can see how it is set up. It is quite simple, almost like placing assignments and papers in file folders (topics) in drawers (pages). The wikispaces wiki also allows the creator, you, to see with times and dates how many edits and discussion comments your students have posted. I developed a rubric and placed it on a page called: forms. Then each week the students were required to make at least 2 edits and 2 discussion posts to get a minimum "C." It wasn't difficult at all. Printing the pages from the screen also gave me backup when students swore they'd posted more than they had.
I will send you that invitation,
Steph