Wikispaces

** __ Wikispaces __ (Class Handout) ** What is a Wiki? media type="youtube" key="-dnL00TdmLY" height="344" width="425"


 * = Check out the below video tutorials that may help. ||
 * = [|Introduction] ||
 * = [|Personalize your Wiki] ||
 * = [|Files and Pictures] ||
 * = [|Notification and RSS] ||
 * = [|Personal Settings] ||

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=3 Challenges to Wiki Use in Instruction = by Ruth Reynard, Ph.D. Click [|here] to read the full article and learn some helpful insight.

There is a temptation with using a tool like the wiki for teachers to simply introduce the tool and ask the students to use it, and then watch to see what happens. That usually occurs because teachers themselves are unfamiliar with the actual potential of the tool to the process of teaching and learning. While knowledge around this is still growing, we do know from teaching in general that students respond poorly to badly designed assignments with no real purpose articulated as to their connection with the learning outcomes or direct benefit to the student's overall learning experience. Unfortunately, when using new technology tools, this can become obvious very quickly as assignments are "captured" and viewable objectively. This means that gaps in design and purpose are not only demonstrated through lack of (obvious) participation by students but also lack of viewable connection to the overall purpose and meaning of a course. This frustrates students and usually results in lack of motivation and participation on their part. Well designed assignments are clearly based on the learning outcomes of a course and also present meaningful purposes for students in their completion. That is, students are further in their learning process after an assignment than they were before it. Affirming students through grading values that adequately reflect the process is not new to education; however, in the area of new technology use, it is essential. That is, students will become frustrated when grades only reflect the end result or a product. The effective use of Web2 tools requires students to be active throughout the process and that work should be reflected in the final grade for an assignment. Actual learning takes place when what is understood is applied in some meaningful context of use. That is, we can forget facts and information bites that we may have memorized for recall, however, we tend to always know what we use on a regular basis and/or what has been integrated into our professional practice or knowledge base for life and work.
 * 1. Creating Meaningful Assignments: Motivation**
 * 2. Grade Value for Constructed Input: Affirmation**
 * 3. Collective Knowledge Use: Learning**