Using Web 2.0 Tools in the 21st century classroom – creating and using wikis to engage students in

collaborative learning.Lena Arena

ICT Consultant k-12Carmelina.arena@det.nsw.edu.au

Ph: 9582 2810

Project Outcomes

• Teachers:– develop an understanding of the philosophy

and pedagogical principles underpinning a wiki

– plan and develop a wiki project that satisfies syllabus outcome

– engage in activities that improve their ICT skills and gain greater confidence in integrating technology in teaching and learning programs

– develop skills in the creation, publication and maintenance of a class wiki

Project Dates (Group 1)

• Workshop 1– Tuesday 24 February (9am -3.00 pm)

• Workshop 2 – Tuesday 10 March (9am – 3.00pm)

• Workshop 3 – Tuesday 7 April (9am – 3.00pm)

• Workshop 4– Tuesday 7 July (3pm – 5:00 pm)

This workshop

• Introduction to wikis– What is a wiki?– Why use a wiki?

• Research and Planning– Evaluating wiki sites– How can you use a wiki in your classroom –

brainstorming ideas• Creating a wiki

– Using wikispaces.com to create a wiki

Workshops 2 and 3

• Complete the wiki space• Refine the wiki to satisfy syllabus outcomes• Creating a blog using edublogs

What is a wiki?

• a wiki is a web site that enables users to read, create, edit, and delete its content

• named after the Hawaiian word wiki-wiki for "quick”

• most well-known example is the Wikipedia, a free online encyclopedia edited by volunteers around the world

• a living collaboration whose purpose is the sharing of the creative process and product by many

What is a wiki?

• Wikis in Plain English• Web 2.0 tools

Sourced from Teacher Tube http://www.teachertube.com

What is a wiki?

Why use a wiki?

• Great motivator for students• Easy to monitor• Allows for creativity and innovation• Encourages participation of all students• Promotes communication between students,

teachers, and parents• A new, interesting way to learn

Why use a wiki?

• It’s a very easy to use online collaboration tool.

• It can be used by YOU to share ideas with other teachers on ideas you want feedback on.

• It can be used by YOUR STUDENTS to track their understanding on the subject you are teaching – (i.e. character study in Charlotte’s Web, collaborative creative writing, current events, etc.)

Why use a wiki?

• It can be used by STAFF to track staff meetings, in-services, curriculum studies

• It can be used by PARENTS to keep track of homework, of how their child is participating in online discussions, etc.

Are blogs and wikis appropriate for educational delivery?

• Blogs and wikis are examples of Web 2 social software. • They can provide an eLearning environment in which

teachers and learners can maintain control over, and input into, their own learning.

• The software provides flexible access to resources and fosters collaboration in a way that enriches educational delivery.

• Both can be used to stimulate thinking outside of regular class time or as the basis for beginning new classroom discussions and coming up with new ideas.

• The majority of research findings conclude that these social software tools can be a transformational technology for teaching and learning.

Are blogs and wikis appropriate for educational delivery?

• Blogs and wikis are tools supporting a social constructivist theory of learning. Social constructivism, a variety of cognitive constructivism, contends that knowledge is actively created by social relationships and interactions, emphasising a collaborative model for learning.

• This networked learning is particularly suitable for our Google generation learners, accustomed to formal and informal ways of getting information that are asynchronous, fast, free and available on demand.

• Using social software individuals can express their views and share their expertise. Social software is by nature open and democratic but not necessarily authoritative.

How can it be used in the classroom?

• Simple websites• Peer-reviewed projects• Group projects• Manage school and classroom documents• Collaborative writing• Glossary of terms• Research• Revision notes

How can it be used in the classroom?

• Classroom discussion and debate• Teacher collaboration• Post classroom assignments• Collaborate with an international classroom

Types of wikis

• Public– Anyone can view and edit your wiki

• Protected– Anyone can view your space but only members can

edit• Private

– Only members can view or edit your space

Questions to consider…

• How are schools to adapt to the influence of Web 2.0 technologies, manifested through an increasing student usage of Web 2.0 technologies outside the classroom for social networking, information gathering and value creation?

Remember…

• You need to interpret Web 2.0 technologies from a pedagogical perspective

• You need to establish shared protocols for the use of the wiki

Considerations

• Private wiki• DET guidelines• Acceptable usage – rules• Student accounts

Australian wiki sites

• Premier’s Reading Challenge– http://premiersreadingchallenge.wikispaces.com/

• 3P Space– http://3p-space.wikispaces.com/

• Gymea Bay– http://gymeabay.wikispaces.com/

• Dullywood– https://dullywood.wikispaces.com/

Some educational wikis

• Educational Wikis– http://educationalwikis.wikispaces.com/

• The Wright 3– http://thewright3.wikispaces.com/

• Adams News Wiki– http://adamsnews.wikispaces.com/

• Code Blue– http://codeblue.wikispaces.com/

• Cyberchickens5– http://cyberchickens5.wikispaces.com/

More wiki sites

• Waltham High School– http://walthamhigh.wikispaces.com/

• Westwood– http://westwood.wikispaces.com/

• Priestsic6– http://priestsic6.wikispaces.com/

• Salute to Dr Seuss– http://salutetoseuss.wikispaces.com/

Useful websites

• SmartCopying– http://www.smartcopying.edu.au/

• Your guide to social e-learning– http://socialelearning.flexiblelearning.net.au/

• Go2Web2.0– http://www.go2web20.net/

• Judy’s Web 2.0– http://judyoconnell.wordpress.com/

Useful websites

• EDUCAUSE Learning– http://www.educause.edu/eli/16086

• TeacherTube– http://www.teachertube.com/index.php

• Shift Happens– http://shifthappens.wikispaces.com

• Wordle– http://www.wordle.net/

A quote for thought…

“…We need to educate our children for their future, not our past.”

Sir Arthur C Clarke