Comments on: Collaboration and Wiki Wrap-up

By: Meghan Ida

Meghan Ida — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 17:04:48 +0000

I think that wikis are a great way for students who may feel very shy about presenting projects infront of the class to really be able to express their opinions and be creative without the social pressure. I believe that most teaching methods have negative and positive aspects. As long as teachers have instilled trust in their students and has given them the opportunity to express their opinions in a neutral atmosphere these methods will be successful.

By: Kaitlyn Tainter

Kaitlyn Tainter — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 14:44:46 +0000

I believe that using a wiki can be a positive and negative learning experience for a student. Students can feel open and feel positive and open about expressing their opinions. Also, students can feel intimidated by the interaction online, because some students feel more comfortable than others. I believe that students should have the freedom to write however they feel on the wiki unless otherwise told so due to an important submission, etc. Although, proper grammar issues is important it is crucial that students know how to utilize proper grammar rules.

By: Janet B

Janet B — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 13:12:05 +0000

I agree with what Stacia had mentioned when saying that wikis can encourage a class to collaborate beyond the classroom. I think using wikis and blogs as a part of a class curriculum creates a comfortable environment for the students to share ideas with one another without feeling limited. Of course there needs to be a set of rules for a class to follow but online collaboration can definitly make learning seem more casual and interactive. I see this as a positive experience especially in ELA.

I do agree that if the wiki is being used in the English classroom, then grammar rules should definitly apply. If students do not use proper grammar than it defeats the purpose of building writing skills which would be a positive attribute to this kind of experience.

By: Mindich

Mindich — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 06:17:19 +0000

The use of a wiki would actually somewhat force the less talkative kids to contribute, and while this may be very challenging for many of them the more they do it the less nervous they would be to do it. This could even then transfer to the classroom if the student really starts to get comfortable.

Grammatically, while some of you make some good points against using correct grammar, I still kind of feel that they should be using proper grammar when writing, as after all, it’s and English class. Although, maybe assigning each student a certain number of lines to check and correct at the end of the year could make for a nifty grammar exercise…

By: SDerdzinski

SDerdzinski — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 04:49:26 +0000

While I do agree that the Wiki can give shy kids a voice, it can also be a place where students write things that they wouldn’t say in class, which could be a good or a bad thing. Overall, I think Wikis will provide our students with a positive learning experience because, as Pat said, they would be working together. This ultimately prepares them for the “real world” where they will be working collaboratively with their co-workers.

In regards to grammar, I agree with both Frank and Alexis that content is more important. Because of the edit key, students can always go back and correct their mistakes. Jackie had a good idea when she offered a bonus to students who correct grammar on their own or their classmates’ posts. After learning more about wikis and using them in one of my classes last semester, I know that they can bring alot to the English classroom!

Stacia

By: Kristin Beylo

Kristin Beylo — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 01:52:03 +0000

Everyone is making really good points. At first, I thought the grammer could be relaxed, like allowing the wiki to be completely the student’s space. But Jamie and Pat made good points about using the wiki as an ELA tool and therefore it should be used correctly. But either way, all students could get involved in wikis, especially shy students. It would also be a great opportunity for a teacher to bring a “shy” students wiki comments into the classroom.

By: songofsolomon

songofsolomon — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 00:56:24 +0000

Collaboration is what makes a wiki so great. To create something together as a class could only bond the students’ relationships and really serve as an experience to help ready them for the workplace. I see it as a positive tool for those too timid to speak out in class and would shine virtually. I don’t really see editing as a negetive aspect to wikis. We all need and receive instruction and correction and as long as it is done in a respectful manner, I think it’s fine.
I would have to agree with Jamie on the grammar bit. I feel we all need all the help we can get when it comes to grammar.It is a key part to the writing process.For a student to fully and effectively use their voice in an articulate, comprehensive way publicly, they need to practice the rules of good grammar. It is also our job to make sure they do it in a constructive supportive way without squashing their creativity. English teachers have been doing it to me my whole educational experience, there’s nothing wrong with it. Pat P

By: Autumn

Autumn — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 23:38:40 +0000

When it comes to students who are no confident in their work, I can only say that introducing the wiki will be something that takes time for them. Even for me, I was a little shy at first because 1) I had never used the wiki before and 2) I didn’t want to post the “wrong way” or have people read what I had posted and be like “what is she talking about.” But in time I grew to really like the wiki. I think that, for shyer students, it will definitely eventually lead them out of their shell.

As far as the grammatical issue is concerned, I would encourage students to post thoughts and ideas that they are confident about, not just side-notes, and I think that doing this will enable them to treat their contribution as a “final draft” but something that others and themselves can revisit, beause that’s the whole point of the wiki. This concept also helped me when I first started contributing to the wiki because I felt that if I wrote something, and someone didn’t agree or wanted to add more, they would. This editing woudl benefit the entire class and allow me to see my response in a more concrete, in depth way. -Aut

By: Jessica Whalan

Jessica Whalan — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 23:31:21 +0000

I think that using a wiki would allow a shyer student to speak up a little more since they wont have to speak in front of everyone. Since shy kids usually do have a lot to say, its a great chance to get them talking.

I love the idea of the collaboration. When the wiki is complete (maybe at the end of the school year) it would be so nice for students to have something to look back on. Something to show for their work and efforts.

By: Jaime D.

Jaime D. — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 22:27:40 +0000

Because the wiki is for the students’ English class, they should always use polished grammar. In order for the wiki to entirely be considered an English class assignment, the students must practice their literary skills. Students also need to understand that they are presenting their words for the entire world to read and so they should represent themselves accordingly. Students who edit their classmates’ grammatical and spelling errors are further practicing their literary skills.

I like how the video elaborates on the fact that wikis are collaborative. This further convinces me that, like a classroom, the wiki is a group learning environment. I appreciate that wikis are hands-on because everyone learns better when they are doing, rather than listening to their teacher lecture. This is a modern and smarter addition to teaching an English class.