After exploring wikis I believe they could either act as a help or a hindrance to a child's learning. The freedom of the wiki allows any person to be able to post their thoughts and knowledge at anytime of day. This could act as an extremely positive influence in an collaborative learning environment if the correct knowledge is being used. Alternatively knowledge and ideas may be unrealistic or nonfactual which may hinder the learning environment. The widespread access to an individuals questions and ideas can draw many points of view and knowledge, broadening the learners vision to the question or ideas. This would be a valuable tool for the upper primary if used correctly, prehaps in a teacher minitored environment where information can be checked.
I used wikispaces to create my wiki. I decided to explore the question; Blogs vs Wikis- for an educational use. Feel free to express your ideas or any information you have found relating to this. I found blogs are more personal, allowing the individual to express their thoughts and ideas to their followers. Whereas wikis allows anyone to be able to post on that wiki. For collaborative learning wiki's could be very powerful. Below is the link to my wiki.
http://tonielearning.wikispaces.com/
Hi Toni,
ReplyDeleteI support your ideas around the positives and negatives of WIKI pages. There are chances for students to guide their learning collaboratively within this pages but like you said the content contained in the site needs to be closely monitored.
I think that WIKI pages could also be used in lower primary classes if students are closely monitored by teachers. I think the younger children could surprise us all with their already developed skills using the internet.
Happy blogging
Nick
Hi Nick, I liked the fact that you view your students' as capable learners. I think I underestimate the skills and abilities of some young children. A closely monitored wiki would act as a powerful and collaborative learning tool, even in lower primary.
ReplyDeleteToni