The learning potential of a Wiki

Well its done, I am now the proud designer (well perhaps not proud), of a wiki... 

It has been a steep learning curve, only weeks ago I had no clue what a wiki was, let alone be able to have one of my very own... As yet I have only mastered the basics but am starting to comprehend what a powerful tool they could be when used in a classroom environment.

We have examined many kinds of pedagogy over these last weeks, and my world has opened.  I always had a working knowledge of the internet, and feel I need to keep pace for my children's sake, but have been a bit of an observer watching from the sideline... I feel I am no longer only an observer... Like peeling back the layers of an onion, each layer reveals something new.  I aspire to be a 'Digital Native',  if only a basic one!!!

Prensky sums up our learners well:

"Digital Natives are used to receiving information really fast.  They like to parallel process and multi-task.  They prefer random access (like hypertext).  They function best when networked.  They thrive instant gratification and frequent rewards..." (On the Horizon MCB University Press, Vol. 9. No. 5, October 2001)

Using a Wiki or Blog is a way to keep pace with our digital learners. 

Image source: www.theage.com.au

As educators we can support learning by using scaffolded activities which incorporate the use of a wiki into our learning design.  Using a tool like De Bono's Hats assists with this scaffolding by encouraging learners to contribute ideas in a meaningful way. 

We can transform the way our learners 'learn' by incorporating technology into activities.  Many schools still seem reluctant to embrace digital technology for fear of its abuse, which is why if they are included in mainstream education we need to simultaneously support legal, ethical and safe guidelines.  Students need to know how to embrace technology responsibly.  Students need to understand the power of digital tools for both positive and negative outcomes.  They need to understand ethical behaviour and apply it well in an on-line environment and need to always maintaing safety, privacy and copyright restrictions.

As educators we need to lead by example and provide a consistent attribution approach whenever including internet resources into our pedagogy.  Safe and legal guidelines need to be constantly reinforced and supervision of internet tools needs to be consistent and unwavering where it is possible. School guidelines need to be keep up to date so as these behaviours are implemented successfully.