Wiki...What? Is exactly what I was wondering the first time I was introduced to the term. It actually was not that long ago. Considering I had just been introduced to Weebly, I felt a little overwhelmed with all the new weird and wacky words used to describe new methods of instructional technology. After I goggled the term and discovered what exactly this “Wiki” thing is, I felt my brain sigh and say, “I think this could be a winner”. The next question, I asked myself was, Wiki…When?
I quickly began to use the Wiki, with my first initial assignment being a group pathfinder collaboration. I found the Wiki to be very easy to create and add to over the course of our assignments. Considering that both of my classmates were working adults with various demanding schedules, the Wiki allowed for us to work on it whenever and from wherever. I found the ease of use and its mobility to be very beneficial to all members. All you need to use or create a Wiki is a computer and an Internet connection.
In my opinion, a Wiki works best for team/group collaboration or projects because it allows for all members to contribute and post fundamental information and questions remotely. In real time, other members can view or respond to information within seconds of posting new information. I also believe that a Wiki can serve as an excellent e-portfolio tool. Perhaps instead of paying $100.00 for a portfolio through the university we could have just created and used a Wiki instead to display our projects and research papers that we have created over the course of our masters program and professional career. Once your page is created you can easily share your URL or invite others to access your Wiki.
There are very few drawbacks to using the Wiki. One must be conscious to perhaps only make the page editable by group members only. It is possible that if everyone has access and edit capabilities that your Wiki page could become susceptible to erased work on unwanted solicitations and comments.
In the end, a Wiki is a great tool that can be used by teachers, students, and media specialist to create a platform for collaboration or a display of viable information. It can be used by the technological advanced or newcomers to instructional technology with ease. If you are still wondering when to use a Wiki, I say anytime! It is great for ongoing collaborations, projects or even sharing recipes or your favorite videos with friends.
I quickly began to use the Wiki, with my first initial assignment being a group pathfinder collaboration. I found the Wiki to be very easy to create and add to over the course of our assignments. Considering that both of my classmates were working adults with various demanding schedules, the Wiki allowed for us to work on it whenever and from wherever. I found the ease of use and its mobility to be very beneficial to all members. All you need to use or create a Wiki is a computer and an Internet connection.
In my opinion, a Wiki works best for team/group collaboration or projects because it allows for all members to contribute and post fundamental information and questions remotely. In real time, other members can view or respond to information within seconds of posting new information. I also believe that a Wiki can serve as an excellent e-portfolio tool. Perhaps instead of paying $100.00 for a portfolio through the university we could have just created and used a Wiki instead to display our projects and research papers that we have created over the course of our masters program and professional career. Once your page is created you can easily share your URL or invite others to access your Wiki.
There are very few drawbacks to using the Wiki. One must be conscious to perhaps only make the page editable by group members only. It is possible that if everyone has access and edit capabilities that your Wiki page could become susceptible to erased work on unwanted solicitations and comments.
In the end, a Wiki is a great tool that can be used by teachers, students, and media specialist to create a platform for collaboration or a display of viable information. It can be used by the technological advanced or newcomers to instructional technology with ease. If you are still wondering when to use a Wiki, I say anytime! It is great for ongoing collaborations, projects or even sharing recipes or your favorite videos with friends.
I too was first FORMERLY and recently introduced to the term wiki/wikispaces from our Technology for Media Services class. My initial thoughts were, oh my, this is going to be difficult, but after some research, I felt at easy. I think that this class will stretch us with respect to the various technologies we will learn and use in the completion of our assignments. I also know that it will take us over the top as Media Specialist as we showcase our new technology talents to teachers and students alike.
ReplyDeleteI agree that once learned a wikispace is easy to create and a great place for group members to post information that is relevant and resourceful. It can be accessed ANYWHERE and ANYTIME as long as you have a computer and Internet access. With time being of the essence for many of us, a wikispace provides that common ground for group members.
I totally like the idea of creating a wiki portfolio in which we could share our relevant and resourceful link to others. Maybe it can come to fruition…please make that suggestion and let’s see what happens:-)
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ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your humorous account of the wonderful words of technology - wiki and Weebly are two you used as examples. These names are catchy and make us take notice, and I agree that in the case of wikis, there is possibility for lots of learning to occur. It's sometimes amazing how students will work on something that involves the computer and websites much longer and with more dedication than other projects. That's where the power of the wiki comes into focus. I liked your idea that the wiki can become a platform for teachers, students, and others to display viable information.
ReplyDeleteI'm learning that wikis can be set to allow for full editing access or limited. This aspect makes them even much attractive as media center projects that could involve many people. The information could be available for all, editable by selected groups, and managed by even smaller groups. This resource is such a good one, especially since it is free, available to all computer users with internet access, and open 24/7. Thanks for your information and ideas!
Danica,
ReplyDeleteYou explain that there are few drawbacks to Wikis in your post. However, I slightly disagree. When we were first assigned the task of joining the Wiki for the course, I knew what it was, but at the same time I wondered why. There are resources and tools within Course Den that are much more user-friendly that that would do the job just as well, in my opinion. At the same time, I could see it more of a tool that Dr. Cooper would want us to use as a way of introducing it to us to use or advertise as media specialists.
The first drawback is the fact that everyone accepted to join can change and edit the information and documents on a Wiki. Just because you post something one day doesn’t mean it will be there the next. In addition, though Wikis aren’t new, I don’t know very many people who actually use them. Its functionality is almost equal to that of Google docs, which can be hard to manipulate, at times, to say the least. Another drawback is expecting the information to be accurate. If we encourage students to use Wikis, then we discuss reliable vs. unreliable sites, how do they decide when it comes to Wikis?