Wikis

I am at a point where I am dying to try out a lesson using a wiki with my 8th graders. My TRT thinks that it is not such a great idea due to security reasons. I sat down and showed her the security options that you can set so that it could all take place within a safe environment. Instead, she presented me with a Google document idea which could work out well, but it is not curbing my urge to try out a wiki in my class.

My seventh graders study the human body. I thought it would be great for the class to divide into groups and each group would research one of the systems and create a wiki space about the human body. Each group would add a page to the wiki highlighting the important features, for example, the circulatory system, and by the end of my class, they would have an amazing collection of information that they could use to study for the end of the year exams.

I am not sure that this is going to be possible within my school district. I feel that I am constantly pushing our school to the limit to try new things, and it makes some very uncomfortable - the unknown always is, so I completely understand that. But I was hoping for at least a consideration.

Wiki Lesson 2

Grade:8

Objective: Students will be able to create a wiki page and edit a peer's

Procedure:

1. Teacher will introduce students to a classroom wiki space

2. Teacher will show students how they can log in with a username and email

3. Students will create a page within the classroom wiki that is about a topic in technology

4. Students will be asked to research, cite, and post their findings on the history of their technology topic

5. Teacher will assign student's to another student's page to "fact check". If they find something that is incorrect, they will need to edit it for accuracy.

6. Teacher will model how to create a page and edit another's.

Assessment: Rubric

Standards: A1, A2, A3

Wiki Lesson

Age: 8th Grade

Objective: Students will find a link on a topic and add the link to a classroom wiki space

Procedure:

1. Students will be assigned to find a link to a website on the Civil War

2. Students will add their link to the website section in our classroom wiki on the page Civil War

3. Students will research 2 other links from the classroom wiki site and reflect on the relevance and appropriateness of the site

4. Teacher will lead with question: Could we take any sites off? Why or why not? How would you edit the page?

5. Teacher will explain how to edit by logging in and then editing.

Assessment: Students will follow a rubric for points

Standards: A1, A2, A3

Wiki Research

I have used wikis for what I think is a considerable amount of time when it comes to new technology. I have leaned on wikis to obtain new ideas for lessons and also have used Wikipedia for research. It has come to my attention recently that Wikipedia articles seem to always be at the top of the list when searching for a particular topic. My students' first reaction is always "We can't use Wikipedia because anyone can edit the site!" While I am thrilled that they are already aware of this fact, I am realizing that they have been exposed to a number of teachers who are afraid to use this site because of just that reason. But perhaps they haven't done enough research themselves to truly understand the truth behind a wiki space. For teachers, wiki spaces can be a great place to collaborate with other teachers for lessons and ideas. Teachers can post their lessons to a certain space where other teachers could search and find their topic and then present. We have taken collaboration to a new level! And I find it is very exciting! If used properly, teachers could benefit from this tool in so many ways. Teachers could connect with teachers all over the world and share links, lessons, and ideas. For students, a wiki could be a great place to share what they are learning as well. Perhaps they are studying the Civil War and the teacher asks them to find links that would be age appropriate to share with the class, students could then post their links to the wiki so that other student could benefit from their find. I do think that relying completely on a Wikipedia entry for research is not a great idea, I always tell my students to find their information from more than one source (which is really what they should do when they are involved in a research project). This way, they can be sure that their information is accurate. But a Wikipedia article can always be a great starting point!

*I wanted to mention that I could not get into the Holocaust Wiki but I was thinking about all of the people who were affected by this horrific event and creating a space where they can all come together to tell about their story, is an amazing thing. It is a place where people with commonalities can connect for better or worse and share their thoughts/memories with us. One book, with a single author would not be able to convey all of the meaning behind a Holocaust Wiki space. It then becomes a very powerful space, a place where I could go to learn from so many people, from their point of view. This is when a wiki can have such an advantage over a single textbook.

The “Perfect World” Blog Lesson Plan (security is less of an issue)

Grade 8

Web 2.0 Tool: Blog

Objective: Students will create and design their own blog and be able to explain the purpose of a blog

Standards: A1, A2, A3

Procedure:

1. Teacher will introduce students to the site www.blogspot.com
2. Teacher will show students how to create their own blog using their own email and username
3. Teacher will walk students through how to customize their page and guide students on how to create their first comment and post (to be sure they know how it works!).
4. Students will then add to their blog roll other students’ (in the class) blogs.
5. Teacher will remind students that within a blog, the creator has most of the control over the blog, and it is usually a collection of the creator’s ideas, latest happenings, etc. Blogs are updated monthly, weekly, (less often daily).
6. Students will then be asked to click on another student’s blog and post a comment on that student’s blog (again to be sure that they know the procedure).
7. Teacher will ask students to check their blogs to see if they can see the comment.

Assessment: Teacher will ask students to find an article on a topic that relates to technology and is of importance to them. Teacher will tell students to create a blog that is a response to the article and includes the article link. Each student will be assigned to respond to another particular student’s blog in their comment section.

*Teacher will remind students that they should be responding to the opinion of the author and not to their personal relationship

The “Imperfect World” Blog Lesson Plan (when security is an issue)

Grade: 8

Type of Web 2.0 Tool: Blog

Objective: Students will communicate and collaborate in a virtual world and also practice Internet etiquette

Standards: (According my Fort Mill School District standards) A1, A2, and A3

Procedure:

1. Teacher will post a link http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1883376,00.html Teacher will tell students to read the article, and ask students to respond to this question: How old do you think you should be to have a cell phone? Why? Explain your answer. This will be done through eChalk (our district’s secured website) in the Blog section.
2. Teacher will demonstrate (on the SmartBoard) to students how to navigate to this section of the website, click on the link to read the article, and then click on Comments to respond. Students will actively follow the teacher and navigate to this part of the website as well.
3. Teacher will encourage students to speak their opinion within their blog responses but be appropriate and courteous with their responses. Potentially, anyone will be able to read these and their name will be attached to it.
4. Students will respond to the blog question in complete sentences, and use the attached rubric to guide them. They will put their name in the subject line so that their name appears at the top of the page.
5. Teacher will explain that she is the “blog master” and that the post will not show up for everyone else to read until she has read it for security purposes. Once the teacher has checked it, the teacher can post for all to read.
6. Teacher will read every post before approving the post to be seen by all.

First Official Education Blog by Yours Truly!

So where do I begin? I am creating a new blog with the intent that I will log my ideas and get feedback from my followers about what I am doing within my classroom. I welcome comments and hope that you will share and give advice when you have anything to share!

A few things that are happening around here... our district has upgraded our software to Windows 7 over the summer and with that being done, wiped out all programs (paid for and free) for a short while. About 25 percent of my curriculum is to teach my students how to type properly. We paid for Type To Learn software and it still has not yet been delivered. Lucky that I am very resourcesful as I have found many online sites that have drills to teach the proper way to type. This week, we have had many issues with our Internet and our connection status so I have had to revamp again - ever play "Type To Air"? Well, picture students with their hands in the air on the invisible home row and me calling out keys for their fingers to imitate the movement in the air. For example, left ring finger s-x, s-x, left pointer, f-g, f-g and then I realize if you write this all down (on the board) and then look back at the writing...the keyboard creator sure had a sense of humor! I on the other hand, was sweating bullets!