I found two wikis that were both established for 2nd grade classes. Each features multiple areas for enhanced literacy instruction. The wikis have social aspects and provide opportunities for knowledge communities and collaboration. I referred to the lecture notes and Vicki Davis's recommended components for effective wikis as I evaluated both wikis.
http://hop2wilson.wikispaces.com/
This wiki greets student contributors and visitors with a simple layout, colorful graphics, and an organized navigation side bar. Students have opportunities for collaboration throughout the wiki, with each subject area having its own page. Project-based learning and communities allow students to share, comment, and learn together. My favorite part of this wiki is the area for Student Pages. What an amazing chance for students to select projects, drawings, original stories, poems, etc. for others to view and enjoy. A few students even created their own wikis.
http://wikiwonderful.wikispaces.com/
Like the first wiki, this one also had bold colors and graphics on the home page along with a convenient side bar. I thought it lacked some depth in the area of school subjects. Unlike the first wiki, it had just four categories, Write a story, Book chat, Math story problems, and Science Rocks. Another difference is in the presentation of student work. Rather than individual student pages, student work is posted together based on the project and assignment. An advantage to this organization is the convenience of seeing all the same assignment in one location. Once again, students could even link their own wikis to the class wiki.
After viewing several other wikis, I think these two teachers did an amazing job of keeping their wikis student friendly while making them intriguing to viewers. Based on the number of student interactions, posts, and original works, the wikis are effective in promoting literacy. Students are able to be an intricate part of a learning team when using the wiki. Students are not just writers. They become authors, researchers, editors, publishers, and evaluators. All I am excited to try Wikispaces Classroom and all its features to promote student engagement and collaboration in my class.
I really liked both wiki's (blogs) that you presented. Both teachers did a great job keeping their blog kid friendly and easy to use. I can see how students and parents could access this easily. Using Wikispaces can allow students to interact with each other even when they are not in the classroom. I had made a wikispace before but never really thought I would use it. However, now that I am in a library I can see how beneficial it can be.
ReplyDeleteI also loved all of the bright colors. I loved how in the second one the students made the list of rules. They all seemed in agreement on making sure it was fun. It was also fun to see what they were learning about.
ReplyDeleteThe second wiki that you reviewed, I felt was very kid friendly, and the fact that they made their own rules for it helps them take on ownership for the rules. I have done that in my class room. This way, they can have the rules that they feel need to written down as reminders, not the normal keep hands and feet to selves type of rules. Great sites.
ReplyDeleteI also loved the student pages on Mrs. Hopkins' wiki. This was a great way to display student work. The student pages give the opportunity to really show what they've learned and holds them accountable in the same sense. What amazed me is that this wiki is used by 2nd graders. I can't believe that they are able to do what they can do using a computer and the internet at such an early age! Thanks for sharing!
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