Reflective Blog #3

I wanted to develop a wiki that I can use as an additional teaching/learning tool for my future science class. My wiki will consist of a compilation of information and resources that support my science class lectures. Prospective students, their parents, and other teachers can utilize the wiki page. Wiki will allow students to perform group work online where they can add, edit, and discuss information. I want to post class assignments, links to real life examples that support class material, and make podcasts of lectures available to students, parents, and other teachers. I added an introduction to my wiki page that tells students how wiki will be utilized for the class. Because this is an imaginary class, I have not yet linked any course material, podcasts, or science resources.

Utilizing wiki allows members to constantly collaborate, add, change, give feedback, and share information. Wiki assists in coordinating and organizing information for a group of people. People have the opportunity to get involved and participate in an idea. This tool is easy to use and access. Teachers can use wiki to assemble educational material from many resources, integrate educational technologies such as podcasts and concept maps, incorporate online class discussion of topics, and collaborate with other teachers and seek their input. The disadvantages of wiki include having to closely monitor information because it can be changed by anyone. Accidentally deleting someone else’s post could occur; important documents and ideas should be additionally saved somewhere else. Also, information on wikis can be biased because it reflects the beliefs of the writer/reviewer.

 Wikis have the potential for engaging digital natives by relaying information in a way that captivates their attention and agrees with their thinking pattern. The use of wiki to add, edit, and discuss ideas builds a student’s critical thinking. Furthermore, wiki provides instant access to information which helps maintain attention spans.

  There are many web technologies introduced on the eLearning Tools Wiki that I want to further explore. The animation technology DoInk.com would be fun to use to create an animation for a friend’s facebook wall. For educational use, the concept mapping tools (slickplan.com, mindmeister.com) are great for linking ideas and establishing relationships so students can see the whole picture. Another great tool is conferencing technology which allows teachers to communicate, collaborate, store, and present material to students, parents, or other teachers over the Internet. In my undergrad classes, I benefited from podcasts and therefore would like to incorporate them into my future science class.