Wikis and Security
March 29, 2008By now you all should have received an invitation to our class Wiki. Hopefully you are finding this new source of information gathering exciting and interesting!!!!
As former students we all know the challenges which we will face when running a classroom, and trying to maintain respect and order among students in a classroom community. Like myself, I am sure that all of you have thought of the potential catastrophe’s which could take place when students have the power to individually edit a class document. In response to this concern please take a look at the following link: http://www.ascilite.org.au/conferences/perth04/procs/augar.html. Browse this site, but pay particular attention to the section entitled Wiki Security and Tracking.
Do you feel the security features of the mentioned Wiki are enough to deter students from engaging in inappropriate use of the Wikis? Would you feel more or less comfortable using a Wiki in your class after reading this? Also consider how parents and school administration could be convinced that a Wiki would be appropriate and secure for the classroom.
I actually think that informing the students that their comments can be tracked will kind of scare them into refraining from writing mean things. They’ll be aware that their comments are anonymous, therefore whatever they say is representative of them. This will prevent students (I think) from writing mean things to other students. However, there are always those few students who defy everything you thought possible and I am still unsure how you’d real with them. If somebody’s child got threatened on the wiki or made fun of, I imagine that it would be hard to get parents to be supportive of the situation.
Sorry Frank I forgot to send you my email so that I can view the class wiki. Here it is rpplum@frontiernet.net
Pat P
I agree with Jessica about how students might be more reserved if they know that their posts will be monitored and tracked. As the article states, “However, additional features such as authentication and tracking are required for wikis to be suitable for teaching and learning online. Authentication enables all wiki edits to be traced back to the author, enabling the assessment process. Tracking helps to secure wiki content against possible misuse and intentional deletions.” This is a great feature that is offered through the use of wikis, but like anything that deals with the internet, I feel as though negative situations cannot be completely avoided, and that’s life. I would use this technological tool in my class because I think the benefits outweigh the trouble areas. The security options are a great addition and like anything these days, I’m sure more options will be developed as the years progress.
I think that school administrators and parents could be convinced that the use of a wiki is a great addition through pure exploration. For example, I was very skeptical of wikis until I experienced using one. Now my view has completely changed and the benefits are obvious, which would be a great way to show others what wikis can offer to a classroom and how it is a great source for collaboration and team work skills.
I agree with both Kristin & Ashely that making students aware their posts will be tracked and monitored they will be much more conscious of what they are posting. If we can use the wiki as an extension of classroom and show students the same rules in school apply to the wiki,I think students will be positive and make appropriate changes to the wiki. If a tool like a wiki can help make their lives simpler and help with a project or other class work, I think they’d be much more receptive then trying to ban it from being used.
I would be open to using a wiki in my classroom. With the option of having students login with a name every time and be responsible for whatever is said by their name in a post, will drastically lower any changes in the wiki that are inappropriate. Parents and administrators might be skeptical at first about using a wiki in the classroom, but I think one of the best ways to learn is to teach them about it and then let them use one. Personally I would show them what steps I have taken to make it safe as possible, and then set up a wiki for them to use and interact with, say if they had any questions or to a tutorial on a project with information. Experiencing something first hand with a guide, can make it a lot less scary.
Honestly, if the wiki is monitored and the students know this is for a grade and will be responsible for their responses. The wiki should be literature based and not used for a blog. The students could post definitions and sequence events of the story and it’s characters.
jackie
Like Jackie, I also feel like students wouldn’t jeoprdize their grade by posting in a harmful way. It is helpful to create the “posting commandments” but I think that, depending on material that is being wikied, there is no reason to post in an inappropriate way. I know that classroom assignments can be very unpredictable, and it is good to establish rules and regulations and I think they are necessary, but I might add something like “don’t take it personally if someone changes your post, we are working toward collaboration.” I feel like that is something that might be more of an issue with wikis rather than “be nice” which I feel corresponds more to blogging. -Aut
I strongly agree with Autumn. I know that it might be hard for a student to use their time to edit the wiki just to come back later to see that it has been edited. I found this website:
http://www.businessweek.com/technology/ceo_tipsheet/2007_3.htm
It deals with Wiki etiquette pointing out that contributors should “Go ahead and create content or edit someone else’s work. Wikis develop faster when people fix problems, correct grammar, add facts, etc.” I would use a Wiki in my classroom, but I would first go over some rules including the “Do’s” and “Don’t’s” I found on the website above. After reading the link on Wiki security, I feel better about using Wikis in the classroom because we can track what students are doing and speak to those who are not using it appropriately.
Stacia
I also agree that if kids are aware that it is for a grade and that they would be responsible for what they write, they would not treat the wiki inappropriately. I see no reason why they would treat it any differently than a group project based in the classroom and would have no problem using one in my class.
If the wikis have a feature that identifies each comment with the individual student, I do not see exreme problems coming fromthis technology in the classroom. The class will also have a guideline on how to comment on the wiki which will affect each person’s grade.I would like to think that this factor alone would motivate students to be appropriate on the wiki. After reading this section on wikis, I like the idea of wikis even more and would use them just as I would use blogs in my class.
I think that students will be able to utilize this tool safely and respectfully. Again, this is where I believe the age level decision plays a huge role. I think that older students know better than to post something inappropriate. I think its important that we motivate our students to be positive, respectful, and appropriate while using the wiki. I think it may be a good idea for the teacher to initiate some sort of converstation with students before they begin their wiki in order to even the playing field and address the several issues that may evolve. I think that if students know what is expected of them they are less likely to be disrespectful.
I honestly think that it may be hard just in general to get parents to appreciate and condone the usage of any type of new internet activities for the classroom because many of them are not exposed to technology enough themselves. I think in order to really have full support from the parents of your students while using blogs or wikis teachers need to involve the parents and encourage them to view the content on the wiki. There is still always a chance that a student will disobey the proper conduct while using a wiki but I think if the students know their parents will be involved from the very start it will diminish any negative use from their minds.