Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Wikiworld (Thing 9)

If the wiki works like I think it does, they hold lots of educational promise. The idea of posting daily assignments, such as a "study hall" wiki would be just a start, although a very helpful one at that. The wiki study guide also seems to be a common and highly useful idea. It reminds me of an on-line version of a review day...where one student asks a question another may not have thought of, or phrases something differently (or better) than the teacher.

Another sight featured a debate applying Chinese governing philosophy to current practice, where students were weighing in with opinions. This holds a lot of appeal, as the conversation can continue outside of class (and school), and the teacher can add things (upon further reflection) that may prove helpful.

I would like to try something like this, for a number of reasons. For one, it may encourage (or force) students to "listen" to the ideas of another. Secondly, it moves the teacher off center stage in the conversation. Thirdly, it gives the more reserved students equal time and space, and the more reflective students better chance to participate.

Photos and visuals are nice to draw people in, initially, but I think the content is still most important. An engaging subject or stimulating question will really keep the conversation going. In particular, I would like to do wiki-debates, as I've never found a good way to use debates in class (although I think they are fun and important).

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