Potential of Wikis and Blogs for teachers

Wiki:

Wiki's are an online space where students\teachers can edit and modify information they or others submit. This could be a very effective tool used to collaborate group discussion.
The potential positives and negatives are outlined in the PMI below.

Wiki PMI:

Positive	Minus	Implications\Interesting
- Images\video (extra info) can be added to make a point clear in different ways. -Could be great for homework (easy to take home) -Post new and updated information allowing users to update their information. - Great to keep track of what has been achieved	- Gives the chance for students to copy others without researching or problem solving by themselves. - Post un-edited information\comments -influenced by comments - Saving errors occur if used by multiple users at the same time. -Supports collaboration	- The use of extra imbedded information (i.e. videos, diagrams, pics) can assist the learners and help make a topic clearer. -Informal style of learning. -To use a wiki, the guests must be trusted.

 
 Blogs:
After doing a little research on Blog's, particularly on the following website http://www.onlineclasses.org/2010/12/08/100-seriously-cool-classroom-blogs-for-teaching-ideas-inspiration/, it has really opened my eyes to the opportunities they can create.
A great blog I found was from a teacher in Perth, who has a class Blog in which major activities are posted, this can give the students a lot of ownership over content and activities they completed, check it out http://thesmarties2.blogspot.com.au/. This is used more as a diary entry which is great to keep track of achievements throughout the year.

A particular example you could use a blog would be in a science setting. For example, the class could look at growing a plant, students could document, photograph, analyse, research, predict, draw stages of the plant and post up to date information of the growth. This could be done in small groups to compare to others.

Outside of learning, this could be used as a portal for teachers to interact and share information with parents, so parents can see what activities the children have been doing in class on a daily\weekly basis. Teachers could also share information, i.e. permission forms, upcoming events, volunteer schedules to name a few.

Blog PMI:

Positive	Minus	Implications\Interesting
-Pictures and other media can be embedded making for clearer learning          -Learner orientated           -Student can comment on topics                               -Showcase to greater audience (worldwide)                      -Independent learning  -No cost	-Comments are displayed without filter and have the possibility to be negatively aimed towards others users.                                  -It is not collaborative -Malfunctions can occur, such as internet connections (especially in more remote areas) during a lesson.	-Can share information outside of the classroom                              -Students work can be easily accessed. -Students can take pride in their work and show more people. -Reduces the amount of resources used (ie paper, pens, paint).  -New posts are ordered chronologically

 

Review of mobile phone wiki

The wiki forum on mobile phones was reflective of several learning theories, these included Cognitivism, Contructivism and Connectivism. It was evident that the activity required us (the learner) to learn by processing new information that may have occurred during research or to process alternative views from fellow learners which is reflective of Cognitivism. The use of the Contructivism theory is backed up by the fact that we learned by social interaction on the wiki, we were able to look at other ideas\views, add to, and relate to our own views or provide an alternative opinion. It was also evident that the Connectivism theory was reflective of this activity as we could provide others with links to other information sources that could take us to more information about specific topics.

The characteristics of the wiki design that made my decisions of which learning theories were used are as follows;

·         Social

·         Access to further resources

·         Required mental processing of new and alternative ideas

·         Develop new understandings

There is not a lot of feedback, it allows learners to put forward the idea they already know without requiring  much research. It is very opinionated. But for those that look into other opinions in detail it allows them to see a different perspective and as mentioned earlier access to a wide range of resources.

This type of activity allows students to look at other perspectives that they may not have thought of previous which allows them to have a broader range of thinking and access resources they may never had encountered. The de Bono's six thinking hats scaffolding kept an order about the perspectives that were put forward. They allowed the learner to respond to a set of questions which influenced the views expressed.

Link to Wiki- Click Here

DE BONO'S 6 THINKING HATS

This technique, created by Dr Edward de Bono, each colour hat represents a different thinking style. This is used to create clear scaffolding allowing to explore six different aspects to any situation.

Image Courtesy of: http://www.docstoc.com/docs/77656897/Edward-de-Bonos-Six-Thinking-Hats


PMI Scaffolding:

What is TPACK?

Technological Pedagogical and Content Knowledge (TPACK) is an emerging model of learning and teaching. It incorporates the existing notion of Pedagogical Content Knowledge, the ability of a teacher to blend content knowledge and "tools" of teaching together for organised and adapted instruction to a learner, and incorporates technology into this framework. TPACK can not be itemised into an expert in knowledge, technology and general pedagogy, but rather an equal mix of these skills. TPACK is the basis of good teaching with technology and can help enhance learning both new concepts and redress some concepts that students have difficulty understanding.
The effective use of TPACK requires a good understanding of concepts using technology and pedagocical techniques that use technology in constructive ways.

Image Courtesy of http://tpack.org/