Working the 'Wiki' Way

I have furthered my research into other types of networking resources, such as, Wiki's. Although Wiki's may seem to serve the same purpose as a blog, I've learnt some very significant differences that are important for teachers to know and understand, before implementing one or the other into a lesson.

Wiki:
- Multiple Authors,
- Edited by a group or team,
- Contains links to other Wiki pages,
- Continuousy changing and growing rapidly,
- Many-to-many communication.

Blogs:
- Usually a single author. Sometimes can have multiple contributors,
- Author posts, user comments,
- Opinion Sharing ,
- One-to-many content.

Wiki's can be used as a virtual feild trip. The students could research far away places they would like to go on a field trip, and share images and information about the location. Another useful project, would be to post difficult puzzles or math problems, such as calculus, so that the students can collaboratively solve them.

Mind mapping e-learning

I have created an online mind map of my current understanding of my research so far. The tool (bubbl.us) provides an easy to use 'walk-through' experience, but I found it to be time consuming and very "fiddly." However, I would use it again. I can't think how many times I have made a mind map with just a pencil and paper and wanted to redesign particular parts to make room for more information.

This tool is very flexible and allows learners to build on their prior knowledge through making connections with new information. They cater for visual learners by providing visual links between each concept.

Valuable Voki

A Voki is a speaking avatar. They can provide a more personalised element to the online classroom. I have found that they can be very useful to those who are not confident in working video or vodcasts. Vokis can be used as an engaging tool, particularly in the online classroom. They would be of value to audio/visual learners.

Blogs in the classroom

This week in Managing e-learning, we investigated blogging (www.blogger.com). Before today, I was not familiar with blogs, how they work, or even what exactly they are used for. I learnt that they were accessible to the public and that anybody could view or even comment on them. After I learnt how to use and even build one, I could see the benefits of introducing them into the classroom. Blogs have engaging elements and can really spice up a lesson especially if they are used in group tasks. Students could work from home and edit information individually, then later reflect on their own and their peers creations and learnings.

A vision of learners today

What do our learners want from our classrooms and teachers?

Involving learners

"Tell me, and I'll forget. Show me, and I might remember. Involve me, and I'll understand" ~ Native American Proverb.

Until recently, I did not understand the importance of ICT's in the classroom. After having researched this past week, I have come to see how digital technologies can be used in an exciting way to involve students in learning. Children today are being introduced to new technologies at an increasing rate. As teachers, we can utilise these tools to create an engaging learning environment for students.


Reference:
Native American Proverb. CQUniversity e-course, SOSE. Retrieved 15th August 2010 from: http://moodle.cqu.edu.au/course/view.php?id=3630