Thing #14 Post:
There are many ways teachers can use wikis for instruction. The wikis for observation in thing #14 are really varied in their approach and skill level. If a wiki is needed as a source of information, or if it is to be used as a student project, then the number of features can be small. One of the wikis looked like merely a long list of websites that could be used to glean information. I could see this only being useful if a teacher really wanted to restrict the sites she wanted her students to open. This particular site was cumbersome because it wasn't organized very well and the sites were not cleanly related to the body systems. Some were just peripherally related. I really liked what I saw in the high school chemistry class. The students made wikis to explore alternative energy sources. The instructions and options were clearly stated. The students were able to customize their presentation due to these options. Links, podcasts and videos were used to enrich their wiki's value as an educational medium. I also was impressed with the advanced math site. The site itself had objectives linked to explanations. This was a project that the seniors were to produce. They took a topic and made class notes with explanations. The only way I would improve this site is to have a link for assessment, so students get feedback on what they know. This can be done using google docs. I would like to see a senior-level multimedia class partner with a senior-level science class and make wikis for TAKS objectives and student expectations. With the new state requirement of four years of science, some of our creative students who normally don't take a fourth year will be enrolled in a science class. I think it would be smart to capitalize on the talents of our artistic right-brained students for the benefit of our at-risk students. The seniors responsible for this project are likely to experience a deeper appreciation of the nature of science as well.