One of the most intersting facts I learned fromthis book and from this class is that anyone can edit Wikipedia. I had always relied on Wikipedia as my Encyclopedia Brittanica from way back in the 70's when we had to use actual books for research. I guess that's what makes the wiki such an interesting tool . There's always the risk that something will be edited incorrectly, but we have to hope that there are more editors who want to publish right information as opposed to wrong. The amount of people that contribute to Wikipedia is amazing and the content that is produced could never be achieved without collaboration.
Using the Wiki in the classroom would definitely be a challenge without using a password and login system. I don't foresee using the Wiki in a Spanish class as a forum for debate on literature because our students simply are not at that level. The Wiki could possibly be used as a tool for teaching a grammar concept, simply by viewing the teacher's Wiki about subject pronouns and answering a question or series of questions. Assignments could be posted as well as links to you tube videos and websitesto help with current topics. Students could also search the web and post additional helpful sites and videos for the grammar concept. I would start out by using a Wiki for a simple grammar concept with the main goal being to provide the students with a visual for a grammar concept. This could then evolve into students creating their own Wiki's to "teach" each other different concepts.
I agree with you, I had no idea that Wikipedia could be edited. I have the same concerns over having my students in art being able to edit or even the time to teach them. I do see in the future students being able to reflect on art on line, even having other schools and students doing each others.
ReplyDeleteWikipedia is so unique because of its ability to be edited by anyone. It causes both problems and jubilation! I have always thought of Wikipedia as a pretty invalid source of information, although (admittedly) it's the first place I go to get information. However, I loved what Richardson discussed when he wrote that the validity of Wikipedia has vastly improved in the last few years. I love the idea that incorrect information get corrected almost immediately upon posting. Changes how the resource might be used in the classroom, yes?
ReplyDeleteI thought the fact that Wikipedia was easily edited by anyone was interesting too. It is fascinating that when someone goes to mess with it and intentionally make it wrong, that many more people will come back to correct it. It's like little antibodies attacking the invasive virus.
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