Evaluate Two Wikis Assignment: Week 2

 

After researching wikis throughout the week, the one thing that I find right away is that there are not as many that are concentrated specifically on reading and writing for literacy instruction.  I found many that are designed for the specific classrooms, subjects, or a certain type of educational curriculum; however, wikis just for the purpose of literacy in the classroom were more difficult to find.  The two that I have located and will evaluate are both designed by educators who perform workshops in regards to 21st century literacy skills.  The first wiki is http://weblogged.wikispaces.com/Connective+Writing.  It was created by Will Richardson who speaks on the issue of Connective Writing: Reading and Writing in a Networked World. The other wiki is designed by Stephanie Sandifer who is a technology coach from Houston, Texas.  She created this site to help educators see the need for the development of wikis as a valuable tool in reaching students in the 21st century by using collaboration and communication skills. Here is the site she created:  http://sspd.wikispaces.com/Reading,+Writing,+%26+Wikis.

In Will Richardson's wiki, there are various quotes that provide motivation as to why connective writing is so important.  He gives reasons that show the world is changing and how we teach literacy must change as well. He describes in great detail the difference between wikis and blogging.  He then provides tools, links, and bookmarks so that any visitor can easily find what they are looking for if they desire more sites to supplement their connective writing curiosity.   In Stephanie Sandifer's wiki, she provides a slide presentation that she gave during a workshop that explains the use of reading and writing literacy through wikis.  She also provides an extensive list of how wikis can be used professionally.  In addition, she explains the academic and professional skills that using wikis can develop for students.  As a literacy coach and a literacy curriculum specialist, Stephanie lists 11 things that show how wikis support, reinforce, and enhance literacy.  In addition, she also provides a digital etiquette (wiki-etiquette) portion, a "golden-rule", and a list of resources for further research on literacy and wikis.

 Both of these wikis use the same strategy to communicate the importance of using wikis in the classroom to enhance literacy.  They are targeting educators so they use a very direct approach with very little "visual" appeal.  Most of the wikis are simply a list of resources, a slideshow, or a series of links that give validation to using wikis as a way to enhance literacy.  Although many of these links are useful, it could easily be enhanced so that the wiki page was more engaging or visually stimulating.  I think some video clips that show how wikis have been used with students, or provide student feedback from those who have used wikis, would have been very helpful.  

I look forward to using wikis some more in my class.  I know that they can be a great resource to help teach literacy (both 1.0 and 2.0) to students as they collaborate and communicate in the 21st century.  The ability to use this kind of connective writing is something that is very useful because it provides immediate feedback, and it allows students to be creative in the flow of a conversation they are creating as opposed to be prompted only by their instructor.

Week 2: Wiki's and Unit 2 lecture

I am kind of shooting in the dark here...I read the syllabus and the Unit 2 lecture but am unclear if I should post my thoughts here or on the discussion post.  Since I don't see a place to post on the discussion board, and I know we are to post by Wednesday night, I am going to take a chance.

I have used wikis a couple of times, both in my class and in the MET program.  I have created a wiki for the purpose of several activities for my graduate classes.  I believe that they are a useful tool and I am excited to use them as often as I can: http://cissellskingdom.wikispaces.com/Brian%27s+World.  I still am trying to understand what is the best way to utilize these tools because some of my students don't possess the digital literacy skills to really be a quality contributor to the wiki activities.  They simply treat it like another homework assignment, and don't quite put the time and effort in that I would like.  Therefore, I am looking forward to seeing how to teach literacy (both 1.0 and 2.0) using wikis.  As I research literacy wikis, I hope to find some ideas that I can use right away.  I hope this blog is what is expected for week 2.  If not, I hope to discover what is required soon...especially before we get to week 3!! LOL.

Expectations and Reactions- Week 1

First of all I am so thankful that I took the advice of my brother and pursued my degree in Educational Technology.  After 18 years in the classroom, I needed to make myself more comfortable with all the digital tools because I found myself wanting to use it but not having the literacy necessary to be effective.  I fully expect that with each class I take I will be able to use at least one more digital tool that will help me be more effective in my class.  However, the one issue I am trying to resolve is that I am quickly becoming a "jack of all trades but a master of none".  The good thing is that I am able to experiment with a variety of tools which allows me to find the ones that I want to master once I have completed all the courses.  In some weird way my experiences model the topic of our lecture/readings of Week 1 on defining literacy in the 21st century.

I, like so many of my peers and a number of my students, am overwhelmed by the language of the digital age.  If someone used the word "blog", "widget", "wiki", or ever touched the # symbol on the telephone when I was growing up, you would have mocked them for being ignorant and illiterate!  Wow, how things have changed. Now, I am taking classes online learning how to use blogs, widgets, wikis, and (#ThingsThatAreTrending) I am slowing becoming less ignorant.  Who would have thought?

 I really enjoyed watching the video and seeing how people defined literacy in the 21st century.  I really did not realize how difficult it can be in the modern era.  It has really made me think about what my job is as an educator as I encounter the digital natives on a regular basis.  I recognize the need to use these tools to teach "traditional" literacy skills and I am excited to do so.  Therefore, as I continue to learn more I find myself evolving many of my methods in the classroom.  I have always been one who is not afraid to try new things with my high school students and they seem to appreciate the willingness to do some things a little differently.  I am looking forward to learning how to use digital tools to further enhance my students' literacy.  I think I understand my job better now that I have some knowledge of 2.0 literacy compared to 1.0 literacy.  As a high school teacher, I find that I must become proficient in the skills first so that I can then model 21st century literacy to my students.  However, as I take more and more of these classes I keep wondering why textbooks are necessary.  Please understand that I am not trying to be cynical, but with each class I take I am learning so many ways to communicate information and engage my students that a textbook now seems so limiting.  I know that may sound like a negative attitude, but it is a sincere question.  If I were to teach literacy 2.0 with textbooks, I think I would be missing my target audience.  I do understand the need for supplemental resources, and I want to reiterate that I am not complaining, but in the digital world of literacy textbooks seem to represent the ancient scrolls of Alexandria.  It makes for a great museum piece, but provides little value to a digital native or an online course.  I really think part of why this question exists in my mind is that I have seen how my students look at my textbooks when I issue them at the beginning of the year and they kind of smirk at my antiquated practice.  They know they will never take it home, and many never even bring it to class.  When I teach my history lessons very seldom do I use the book other than a guideline, and often times I prefer the unlimited websites I have at my disposal as I provide slides, notes, and discussion points. Anyway, I was just wondering as I was reflecting on this week's lesson. Maybe I should just save that debate for a different post! No worries!!  See everyone online...
Brian