WIKI SPACES

This week we worked on an online web page called Wiki-spaces. Wiki-spaces work a lot like Wikipedia whereas it is really easy to work collaboratively on a project like a paper or something similar by utilizing online tools such as discussion boards and live editing. Doing this project, in a way confirmed my fears about how easily one cold sabotage a very well done and credible wikipedia entry; however really help me learn about alternative ways to work collaboratively online with out using the telephone, instant messenger, or other communication devices.

Its is very probable that I would use this as method of getting my students to work in group projects so that I, the teacher can see that every body is putting in their 50 cents in to the assignment. Even though there are many different types of learners, every one must learn how to work collaboratively on a project and this type of tool can really help when students are called to work on an assignment together.

As a teacher I could also use this tool to guide what we learned about in the readings about web quests. Furthermore, I could use this as a venue to publish homework assignments, newsletters and announcements, if the school does not have an online learning tool like webCT. Now WebQuests are assignments that use the Internet as a tool to facilitate the learning process. I have spoken in past blogs about using tools like google earth to facilitate virtual field trips. A web quest really incorporates many of the internet tools that many of us know in order to expand on lesson plans. For example, if I was to teach a geography lesson about Canada, I wouldn’t necessarily use a web quest in order to have children locate the major cities in Canada. What one would ask students is to find in-depth facts and insights on a city or province. One could utilize the wiki spaces and have a each group work on a province in Canada. Each member of a the groups would delegate tasks on what important physical, political, and cultural topics one could find on a province, then displaying it for the class to see and learn.

As intriguing as wikisites and the whole concept of wiki spaces are, I see some aspects of it problematic. Main issues includes the accessibility to students. Being a student that has seen various types of technology in the classroom based on district, I would be the first to tell you that these types of assignments would be difficult to implement especially if students did not have the technology available. Furthermore, as working collaboratively on the web is very important especially in our a global civil society; however, I think it is also appropriate to balance these types of assignments with face to face interaction so our students are not trained that relationships between students and coworkers are completely artificial and commercial.

All in all this is yet another helpful technological tool available to students and teachers that will be implemented in to future teaching practices.

Research and Excel

Looking for information for research has become easier and easier, the more technology develops. The computer definitely revolutionized the way libraries were catalogued, but in the wake of the internet revolution, many students prefer the use of the internet as a research tool. It is very tempting to go to Google, Yahoo, or other search engines to do most of the reaserch, however it becomes problematic when seeking accurate and credible information.

Now providing students with appropriate search engines and web sites to visit is very helpful, in order for students get that desired information. With that said one must identify, what is a credible website, and what isn’t. For instance, Wikipedia, is NOT a credible web site. I would show students how easy it is to modify entries on Wikipedia, making information not reliable. Keeping students on sites that have strong ties to institutions can work a lot better and is proffered. For example, generally one can find government studies on sites labeled, .gov. and most of the time the information is credible because of its ties to that all powerful institution: the U.S, government.

The article also spoke of sites that had a plethora of research available for various content for a small fee. It would be very important to speak with the librarian or the school administration to see if there can be a school wide access to these sites in order for students to search for scholarly articles. These sites can include such as Lexus-Nexus or EBSCOhost. Furthermore guiding students to appropriate search engines will help students in the future from finding the incorrect information for research projects. Teachers also must also check for plagiarism as it becomes very tempting for students to take short cuts.

As for assignment, Excel is a great tool to use to organize many different numbers. For math and science teachers this can be a very good tool to teach augment class projects and data. The grading process also becomes very easy, especially if the school you work at does grades by hand. With Excel one can make detailed progress reports for parents as well as administrators. Excel is definitely paramount for teachers to know and be proficient in.