*WILD* About WIKIS

Posted on April 8, 2008 by alissabradford.
Categories: Constructionism, wiki.

This review was very helpful for me to understand the key features behind using a “wiki”. Unsure exactly to what they were, I learnt that wiki’s are spaces where people are open to edit and share information on particular topics. Essentially they are collaborative pieces of writing that people have contributed to overtime. There are many benefits for using this kind of tool as a teacher. They can be used in the classroom for collaborative group projects, in the staffroom for planning workshops and even in the administrative office for creating and editing school policy documents. As it requires minimal technical support there are so many possibilities that are open to a ”wiki”.  However, there are some disadvantages that include being vandalised, incorrect information being presented and spam. Another difficulty is that it does not prevent the problem of one student doing all the work in a collaborative group project. Does anyone have ideas on how this could be prevented?? I am definately keen to give “wikis” a go if given the chance on prac.

no comments yet.

What makes a good website?

Posted on March 22, 2008 by alissabradford.
Categories: technologies, wiki.

I seem to like Idit Harel….well if we move beyond her name, (no offence to anyone with that name) she actually is concise and makes some very valid points. A safe website is not necessarily always a “good one”. In terms of getting children motivated, creating, designing and being engaged in their learning.. this is what Harel has conveyed to me as features that make a ”good website”. It also provides children with the opprtunity for self expression, she challenges us to consider the internet not as information technology but as expressive technology.

no comments yet.