Originally when I started thinking about using a WIKI in a media center I thought there is no way that I would. The reason that I do not like using a WIKI is the aspect that anyone can change the content. Now that I have done more research on WIKI’s, I have found out some great uses for them.
Becky Small had some great ideas about how to use WIKI’s. Some of her examples were to do Science Fair Projects, Collaborative Textbooks, Student Portfolios, WIKI Organization, Collaborative Understanding, and Collaboration between teachers, and Literature Circle in Elementary Schools (http://wik.ed.uiuc.edu/index.php/wiki_in_a_K-12_classroom). Amy Bowllan created a lesson plan on the book The Mzungu Boy and designed it as a WIKI (themzunguboy.wetpaint.com). This is a great idea to allow students to engage interactively with a lesson. Both of these ladies had some good ideas of how to use a WIKI but I still was not convinced that a WIKI would be that beneficial in a media center until I checked out the Decatur High School’s Library WIKI (http://dhs.wikispaces.com). What a great way to compile a lot of resources into one place. The things that impressed me about it were the pathfinders and the professional links. There were so many useful resources that teachers and students could use which was really great. Some ideas for creating a WIKI would be to:
· Tell about your media center.
· Have a link for upcoming events.
· Have a link showing pictures of events that have taken place.
· Have links for every subject area that teachers and students could use when they are searching for materials. When teachers find an excellent website they can add them to the list.
· You could have a link to your library catalog and also to the public library (in case you do not have resources that stakeholders are looking for).
· Have a link to book reviews to encourage checking out books that have slow circulation.
· Have a link to book reviews that student can write.
· Put tips on how to solve different technology issues and other stakeholders could add to this when they solve an issue.
So as you can see there are many possibilities of how a WIKI could be used in a media center. A WIKI is definitely useful if you have information that needs to be readily accessible to many different users. Individuals could access the WIKI from any computer which makes it extremely convenient. Since anyone can create and edit content on a WIKI it will be extremely important to have someone that is in charge of checking the WIKI on a regular basis to make sure that nothing important is getting deleted and to make sure that there is not any inappropriate content being added to the WIKI.
Loved your Wiki posting. Lots of good ideas on utilizing Wikis in the SLMC. As a Science teacher, I really appreciate that you included the information from Becky Small about using Wikis for Science Projects. I am definitely going to follow the link posted.
ReplyDeleteYou make a good point about the effectiveness of a Wiki being based on its currency. It is so important to maintain the site and keep the information relevant.
Good Job!
Like you, I am hesitant about how a wiki would work in a media center. However, there are so many uses. Your list shows many different ways to use the wiki in the media center. A wiki is more beneficial than sending a newsletter because it can be changed often without the expense of paper. Decatur's wiki gives information that would be used often by students, such as how to put citations into MLA format, practice quizes, etc. Having these useful things keeps the wiki from becoming something that is only looked at once or twice then forgotten about.
ReplyDeleteBritney Keith
The sites that were mentioned in your post were really great. Wikis can be valuable tools for media specialists. Students can link to resources from the media center's website that would be useful for online learning. My reading classes will be doing book reviews this year and having a link where students can write their own reviews would be beneficial. Also,I agree that it would give the students the chance to see other reviews by fellow students which would ultimately encourage checking out books.
ReplyDeleteSusan I also do not like the aspect that someone can change the content in a wiki without your permission. You gave the reader several great ways wiki can be used. I like the ideas shared on how to use a wiki in a media center. This will create collaboration among the teachers and the media specialist. Lower grade teachers like sharing pictures with their team members. A wiki would be great for them to use.
ReplyDelete