Wednesday, 10 April 2013

Wikis, Reflection and Synopsis

Wikis





A Wiki  is defined by Facer & Green (2007) as a space on the web that allows users to share information in a collaborative forum. Wikis are considered more of an interactive ICT tool as it enables users to modify information posted by others.
Barton and Heiman (2012) assert that wikis as a text based platform provide guidelines to assist teachers in the web 2.0 direction. Wikis assist social construction of knowledge, promote a sense of community with students in the classroom and prepare individuals for the global workplace. 
 PMI - Reflection
 Positives:
  • students can collaborate in an interactive forum through sharing ideas, opinions and information.
  •   students can use a wiki to conduct a research project.
  •   students can work on school based activities at home.
  •   students can practice editing, grammar and spelling on wikis.
  •  there is a lot of wiki software available so it is a low cost option with minimal financial outlay for installing.
  • wikis are used to map, brainstorm and revise content.
 Negatives:
  •  students can modify/edit other wikis.
  • students may not have access to computers/internet at home and be disadvantaged.
  • students may feel they are working on joint projects,and others working in the group are. not contributing at the same level.
 Interesting:
  • wikis widen the access to the internet for non technical users through its easy application. 
  • wikis stimulate writing and creativity for students.
Legal Safe and Ethical Practice

 In the consideration of the four digital tools identified in the subsequent posts, I have explored a number of elements in the discussion of legal safe and ethical practices with ICT. An area I  haven't investigated  is copyright.

 Utilising Wikis in the classroom, can incorporate  a number of scenarios which involve teachers uploading text, images, broadcasts, videos and music onto a wiki. According to the Queensland Department of Education Training and Employment (2012) Right to Information, uploading such material onto a  wiki or blog involves two copyright activities; copying and communicating material. ‘Communication’ of copyright material occurs where content is made available online.

 There are specific licences and education exceptions in the Copyright Act which enable teachers to copy and communicate material on a wiki or blog. Otherwise teachers must seek permission from the copyright owner to use their material. Students rely on different provisions known as ‘fair dealing exceptions’ when copying and communicating material for class and homework tasks.The website links outlined below provides parameters around copyright regulations in QLD and cybersafety.(Queensland Department of Education Training and Employment (2012)Right to Information.
  
 http://deta.qld.gov.au/right-to-information/

 http://splash.abc.net.au/web/splash/teachers/blog?id=42492 
 In an exploration of websites on Legal ,Safe and Ethical Practice on line, I found an interesting and very simplistic example from a teacher in Victoria who had provided a snapshot of how grade 3 students felt when their artwork was the subject of copyright; different names were put on individuals art work pieces. Discussing and engaging with students the legal /social implications of using ICT is also an important component of utilising e-learning in a classroom setting. This can occur also in the early primary school years if the information is conveyed in a way that the audience can interpret the meaning.

 http://educational-blogging.wikispaces.com/Creative+Commons+Video
Cybersafety

 Another component of legal safe and ethical safety on line is the need for students to be"cybersafe". As a teacher I would see the need for information sessions and  fact sheets on cyber safety to be provided to students on commencement and regular intervals throughout the school year, to remind students about how they can work safely on line. It would also be advantageous to have parents be involved in a session pertaining to cybersafety for school and home  to reinforce this important message.The weblink outlined below provided some helpful hints for teachers.

 http://www.bullyingnoway.gov.au/teachers/classroom-resources/cybersafety-info.html

http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com.au/2005/12/wiki-wiki-teaching-art-of-using-wiki.htm

 https://kditzlerteacherresourcepage.wikispaces.com/KDitzler%27s+Teacher+Resource+Page

 http://www.wikispaces.com/content/wiki-tour#introduction

My Wiki Example:

This is my wiki address, however I haven't utilised it as much as I would of liked. I look forward to adding to it as the course progresses.

http://learner400.cquniversityschoolofeducation.wikispaces.net/

Learning theories;


Schaffert and Bischof (2006) assert that wikis support learning approaches for students that incorporate paradigms of constructivist and cooperative /learning theories.
Constructivist paradigms as a learning theory describes how learning occurs.The interaction for students using a wiki in a collective environment supports, reflective learning, enabling students to collaborate, build responses, and structure their knowledge and  learning experience.(Schaffert and Bischof 2006)

Wikis are characterised by information sharing and collaboration. Schaffert and Bischof (2006) indicate that in a cooperative learning environment, students work in small groups to assist in the learning process.The two positive outcomes derived from cooperation learning is primarily peer interaction and groupwork. Collective teams can achieve high order thinking and retain information longer than students working on an individual level.

Other learning theories like De Bono's Thinking Hats and TPAK could also be undertaken to assist students make connections to learning.

 References



Facer, K.,Green H. (2007)Curriculmn 2.0;Educating the Digital Generation.Demos Collection 44-58.

McLoughlin.C & Lee.M (2008) Mapping the digital terrain.Proceedings Ascilite 2008.Retrieved from http://www.ascilile.org.au/conferences/melbourne08/procs/Mcloughlun updf.
Wikimedia Commons(n.d) File Chiodini.wiki.jpg.Retrieved from

Barton.D & Heiman J (2012).Process Product and Potential. The archaeological assessment of collobarative wiki based student projects in the technical communication classroom.Technical Communication Quarterly.Volume 21.Issue 11 p46-62

Queensland Department of Education Training and Employment (2012)Right to Information.Fact sheet.Retrieved from

Schaffert S& Bischof D.(2006) Learning with Semantic Wikis. Proceeding of the first workshop on Semantic Wikis. Budva Montegro. Retrieved from
http://www.ncolr.org/jiol/issues/pdf/8.1.4.pdf 

O'Connell J.(2012) Rules of Engagement in the Digital Age.Retrieved from October 28, 2012.
http://splash.abc.net.au/web/splash/teachers/blog?id=42492

 Yollis.L. (2013) Educational Blogging.Creative Corners(N.D.) Retrieved from
http://educational-blogging.wikispaces.com/Creative+Commons+Video

 Queensland Department of Education Training and Employment.(2013)Bullying No Way,Classroom Cybersafety Resources.Retrieved from
http://www.bullyingnoway.gov.au/footer/copyright.html

   Davis. V.(2011)CoolKat Teacher Blog. Wiki Wiki - Teaching the art of Wiki pages to teachers.Retrieved March 15 (2011)
http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com.au/2005/12/wiki-wiki-teaching-art-of-using-wiki.html

  K.Ditzers.Teacher Resource Page. (2013)Retrieved from
https://kditzlerteacherresourcepage.wikispaces.com/KDitzler%27s+Teacher+Resource+Page 

  Wiki spaces(2012).Tangient LLC.
 http://www.wikispaces.com/content/wiki-tour#introduction


Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)