I really liked the challenge of looking at three different things that we think we are so called experts on through Wikipedia. I found it interesting to know that my things were spot on. In the future I think it would be a fun activity for my students if I could find a Wikipedia page that is false or slightly inaccurate and have them locate the information, through research, about why that information was inaccurate. Students could seek out professional who post blogs and challenge them on the topics that are covered on Wikipedia. This would provide my students with the concept that not everything on the Internet is true as well as challenging them to seek out and interact with professional who create blogs.
The second thing that I liked looking at was the use of Wiki's in Education. While it was hard to find blogs that talked specifically about the use of Technology Education Wiki's, I did find a couple. It was interesting to read that those postings described how much of a joy it was to bring the wiki into a Technology Education classroom. I could see my own teaching style utilize the Wiki concept in all of my class as a means of collaboration as well as providing tutorials for the students. Our principal just sent out a memo talking about the stress we put on the paper budget. I believe by hosting all of this information online, such as a fill in worksheet instead of a paper worksheet, we could really cut down on our education expenses. Now this possess the problem of computer access in the classroom and high school setting, but fortunately most students in my district have personal computers at home or have plenty of opportunity to utilize one of the available computer labs in the school.
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The wiki assignment was interesting to me as well. I also found that the information was accurate. Now, I did think at times too much information was included or that not enough was included but all in all it was correct. I think that it would be an excellent task for students to find a Wikipedia site with errors. Does one even exist?
ReplyDeleteHey Nick - I really like the wiki challenge as well, although I have to admit I had a heck of a time thinking of three things I know a lot about. Like you, I think it would be great to get a wiki going at my school. Even though I teach the younger crowd, I am certain that they would really get into it. My observation of students when it comes to writing is that they dislike it because it takes so much work and is typically done for the teacher's eyes only. So for them, understandably, it's completely irrelevant. I really think developing wikis based around classroom subjects could help to change students' feelings about the writing process as well as the research process. I think your idea of finding a wiki riddled with errors would be excellent. Teens especially like nothing more than finding inconsistencies and pointing out others' mistakes.
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