Richardson’s description of Wikipedia helped my understanding. Students are already using it as a resource for their projects. However, Wikipedia as a source is problematic. Rather than an encyclopedia, each entry is more accurately a giant collaborative research report (Richardson, 2010, p.60). The difference between blog and wiki seems to be primarily ownership. A blog is owned by one individual who invites others to comment. A wiki is owned by many collaborators, all of whom enter content into a shared online research paper.
When we use wikis in our classrooms, we are inviting students to contribute in an adult manner about topics they are passionate about. A contribution to Wikipedia is the ultimate authentic writing experience. Anything in Wikipedia is read by thousands of people. If you're wrong, they'll correct you. When students contribute to a wiki, whether it is editing a Wikipedia entry or editing their classmates’ essays, they are learning important lessons not only about content but also about writing, editing, and collaborating. They have to be editors and work together, negotiating differences in word choices and style as well as which facts to put in and which to leave out. They can collaborate with other students all over the world. It is that collaboration that makes the wiki powerful. Using a wiki teaches students how to truly work together.
Wikis are a great way for schools to strengthen instruction and increase communication. School wikis can be used for everything from posting assignments and class discussions to scheduling conferences and field trips (Neilsen, 2009). Teachers can collaborate on important documents, including curriculum maps and grant applications. Professional development materials, including video and presentations can be posted and discussed.
The more I read, the deeper I moved into the “embrace the wiki” camp. There are so many ways that I could use a wiki in the media center that it is difficult to just pick one. I do need to approach creating a wiki for my students with the following caveats. If the blog is open to outside editing, vandals could post inappropriate text, or worse, delete sections that students had worked long and hard to perfect. Parents might be skeptical at first, but will quickly join in. Management will be a challenge if I decide to control access. If each student in a grade is to be able to log in then they each need an account. I have approximately 100 students for each grade, and I wouldn’t want to leave anyone out. I am going to pretend there will be no filtering challenge. Building wikis will be a wonderful opportunity for my elementary students.
References:
Neilsen, L. (2009) Eight ways to use school wikis. Tech & Learning. http://www.techlearning.com/curriculum/0035/eight-ways-to-use-school-wikis/46216. Retrieved September 12, 2013.
Pearce, T. (2006) Terry the tennis ball: a choose your own adventure. Bellaire Primary School, Geelong, Victoria, Australia. http://terrythetennisball.wikispaces.com/home. Retrieved September 12, 2013.
Richardson, W. (2010). Blogs, wikis, podcasts and other powerful web tools for classrooms (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.