Monday, November 3, 2008

Why a Wiki? Wikis can be utilized to perform many functions that enhance our students’ abilities to share in the larger community of learners. An advantage is that a wiki allows students to participate in the collaborative creation of on-line content. A wiki provides a venue for students to share their writings, artwork, and thoughts. Teachers can use wikis to provide information on upcoming assignments and homework. Wikis are not perfect; they can be manipulated by anyone who has well-intentioned or malicious intent. Wikis can be written and edited by anyone with access to them. They must be monitored regularly which can add extra work for the mediator. This drawback is overshadowed by the educational value and experiences that students can gain. Wikis give students the opportunity to publish their works for an authentic audience. Students may have more motivation to produce quality work when they understand that their work is out there for everyone to see. Teachers can give immediate feedback and students are able to go back to earlier versions so that edits retain continuity. The use of wikis can be used to extend lessons outside of the classroom and provide valuable practice utilizing technology. Wikis can facilitate conversation for authentic purposes. Students who are part of a group responsible for developing a project can collaborate from their homes. Teachers can monitor and facilitate by offering suggestions and asking questions. Overall it may be argued that the pros of wikis outweigh the cons. Paul

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