Wiki What?

The Wiki assignment was my first attempt to access Wiki and my first effort to gain an understanding of how, when, and why to use it. After reading the assignment materials and doing some research on my own, I realized that this could be a great tool to use not only within the classroom, but within my personal life as well.

In the classroom, I can see its use being beneficial just how it was for us as we completed our assignment using Wiki. There were many topics to research. Instead every student researching every topic, we split them up and only researched a couple each and then shared them with each other. It was a way for us to learn so much more, so much quicker. Because each individual topic was defined and resource links were provided, it gave all of us students easy access to all topics for quick reference.

Wiki can also be used within the classroom when small group projects are assigned. Groups can work together using Wiki so that their efforts aren't duplicated. The Wiki work-page would keep them focused and on task. The Wiki work-page would also be available to the teacher so that he/she would be able to review the progress of the group and add comments and/or concerns for the entire group to view.

On a personal note, immediately after reviewing the You Tube visual regarding Wiki, my first thought went to camping. My family camps with a group of families from late spring to early fall. When we begin to get ready for a trip, the emails begin to flow. After the third or fourth email, it gets really confusing as to who is doing what and when. Upon viewing the You Tube tutorial, I decided then and there that I was going to set up a camping Wiki work-page and I was going to do a mini Wiki presentation around the campfire during our first camping exertion to educate everyone on this great tool that we can use to plan our trips.

I'll comment on my post after our first camping trip to update my followers on how receptive the group was in regards to learning about this new technology and their willingness to use it. To be continued.....