Introduction
I am one of those people who knew what Wikipedia was before I knew what a Wiki was, or even how Wikis work. I also quickly learned that Wikipedia was an unreliable source for research when looking for articles to write papers for college classes. After all, Boeninger writes, “Its popularity has caused some debate in the academic community as many librarians, educators, and researchers question the reliability of the encyclopedia’s content” (2007). I remember my professors saying that because anyone could edit Wikipedia, we were not allowed to use it as a source. In my mind, these people were evil hacker geniuses, and there was no way I would ever trust anything they wrote. I have never been very technologically savvy, and it never occurred to me that when the professors said anyone could edit Wikipedia, that anyone could mean me.
I attended Kennesaw State University to get my Master’s in Secondary English Education. We had to take a technology class with Dr. Darren Crovitz. This class made me significantly more nervous than the other classes because of my lack of experience with technology. Sure I could fire off an e-mail, write a paper, and watch videos on YouTube, but that hardly made me an expert. My heart would beat faster, and my neck and shoulders would tighten up with tension every time I had to start a new assignment. Paralyzing fear and the feeling that I could not do it would plague me endlessly. Thank goodness Dr. Crovitz was very laid back or it would have been a tougher semester.
Since Dr. Crovitz was an expert in technology, he often showed the class short videos to start the class, or even to show us how to do something. This was how I finally learned what a Wiki was. I have yet to see an explanation better than the following video. It’s only three minutes or so, and I really think it is a great tool for teaching students about Wikis. As a student, I thought, “Oh that is so easy. I can do that.” For those of you who are technophobes like I was, you know what a big deal that is. Take a little time, and watch it now.
See?
How easy is that?!! So, I had a Wiki
group assignment, and we even had to edit a page on Wikipedia. Had I become one of those evil hacker
geniuses? Hardly. But at least I knew I could handle a Wiki.
Thoughts about using Wikis in the Media Center
After doing some reading, I realized it is important to determine if the Wiki is needed in the first place—maintaining one just because everyone else has one is a waste of time. (Boeninger, 2007). I absolutely believe Wikis can be used effectively in the media center if they are needed, and at least one person is up for maintaining it. Wikis can be best used for faculty in a departmental or grade level team communication. Teachers can use Wikis for collaboration on “editing textbook, preparing journal articles for publication, assembling a syllabus or reading list,” not to mention creating lesson plans, inserting multiple files and or links including pictures, sounds, music, Word documents, PowerPoint Presentations, and videos (Educause, 2005). Each teacher could then have their own class Wikis for student use if they are so inclined. “Students can use the Wiki to research, outline, draft, and edit a collaborative project...they could also organize articles, site links, video, and other resources…users can discuss the book, share papers for peer feedback, and so on, all using the Wiki” (Bowlan, 2008).
There are some drawbacks to Wikis: inappropriate language, inaccurate information, and spam are just a few things that can go wrong (Educause, 2005). It is easy enough to avoid these kinds of issues. Wikis can be set up so that the users have to be invited. This way, some random stranger is not adding information. This aspect is what makes Wikis great tools for student use too. Wikis can be safe places for students to collaborate and share information.
Weak Wikis vs. Strong Wikis
After examining Decatur High School’s and Apalachee High Schools’s Wikis, it is easy to see whose Wiki is weak and whose is strong. Decatur High School’s Wiki is the weaker of the two. It is not colorful, there are few links, and it appears as if it has been abandoned in favor of a traditional web page, which also happens to lack color and links. Apalachee High School’s Wiki is colorful, well organized, and has useful links. It is clear that this Wiki gets a lot of traffic, and it is updated regularly.
Collaborative Tools or Storage Cabinets???
Boeninger lists plenty of things media specialists and other educators can do in order to have successful Wikis. One idea is to look at other Wikis for ideas—there is no need to reinvent the wheel. Finding the right software to meet the needs of the users is important as well. Media specialists should add users slowly so the Wiki does not get overwhelmed with too much new information at once. Also, the users should be provided with a list of norms and rules so each person knows what is expected of him or her. Finally, the media specialist needs to give up control to users and not get upset if users do not contribute. While it is understandable that it may be frustrating to watch a collaborative tool being used as a storage cabinet, that very well might be what the users need at that time. If that is what works for them, let it be. Some people are happier to use what is available and not contribute. There is nothing wrong with that. Besides, forcing the issue may make people give up altogether, which is the opposite of what we want to happen (Boeninger, 2007).
References
Boeninger, C.F. (2007). The wonderful world of wikis: Applications for libraries. In Courtney, N. (ed.), Library 2.0 and beyond (25-33). Westport: Libraries Unlimited.
Bowlan, A. (2008). “A wikki gives a worthy book new life.” School Library Journal. Retrieved from http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6590061.html
Educase. (2005). “Seven things you should know about wikis.” Retrieved from
Lefever, L. [leelefever]. (2007 May 29). Wikis in plain English. [video file]. Retrieved from
Jill, your review created a few Ah-ha moments that I’m a bit embarrassed to admit. I too knew Wikipedia LONG before I knew Wiki’s. In fact, Wiki’s are quite new in my world and I’m still fuzzy around the edges on them. I’m a bit in awe of you; you’ve edited a Wikipedia article?! A mere mortal?!! Like other teacher-librarians I caution my students, yet never considered I could be “anyone”. Furthermore (I blush to admit) I never connected that the Beasties (Wikis) I’ve recently experience (less than pleasantly) were the same thing.
ReplyDeleteThe video was Very instructive and I have to admit opened the door of possibility a smidge. I noticed in several reviews that the subject of wiki’s as storage was viewed somewhat derisively, yet I see it as an excellent use and I applaud your comments concerning this use.
p.s. I wish I remembered the exact source… I read a study this summer that compared something like 100 science articles in Britannica and Wikipedia and found only 3 and 5 errors respectively. Ironically, NPR had a piece today on an historical expert’s efforts to correct long standing in accuracies concerning the 1886 Haymarket Bombing and his inability to do so… the fact that the “policing” of Wikipedia’s accuracy is based on more on Widely Held Beliefs than Truths.
Excellent post! I agree with you that when professors cautioned aboutusing Wikipedia, I too saw editors of wikipedia to be "evil hackers," yet one of my professors made us choose a video to critique and create a wiki page for it on Wikipedia. I semi-proudly admit the Color Purple video page was created by me and I still like to review the history to see my name as an editor on that page. You raise a lot of great points when it comes to wikis. I particularly like your point about wiki being used as a storage space. I think we sometimes feel like wikis have to communication and user interaction, but in reality, it was created for the users and should be used in a manner that fit the users current needs; users will quit using if they feel forced or obligated to post.
ReplyDeleteWhat an entertaining and informative video. I'm sure students would immediately understand wikis and how they could use them after viewing that video. Like all technology, it usually takes some initial work to learn how to use and then once it's explored becomes a tool for efficiency. I like the idea that students could access wikis from home in order to do their collaboration. It's difficult for teachers to schedule adequate time in the library or computer lab for students to work together, so the use of a wiki at home allows students to self-monitor their progress.
ReplyDeleteI'm hanging my head in shame because I never realized that Wikipedia was a Wiki and anyone could edit it. Now, like you I wonder about the data I've used from that source. You mentioned high schools using Wiki's but I wonder how easy a first grader could use it or in the elementary school levels if it should be for teachers and administrators alone. Of course, I think students in 3-5 could use it along with Venture students but I'm not sure it would be appropriate for K-2 students. Hmmm, something for me to play around with. Great blog posting!
ReplyDeleteThe video presented by Dr. Crovitz is plain English. It was easy to follow and explained the concept clearly. My school used a Wiki to provide support to the faculty and staff to answer frequently asked questions. This includes but is not limited to how to submit a work order or submit their grades. Screen shoots are provided to assist them. More detailed and educational uses will be introduced as the faculty become more technology literate. I can see all grade levels enjoying the use of the Wiki. K-2 would be delighted to see their thoughts, feeling and pictures published. Working in the high school, I think the group use or class wiki are very valuable tool for immediate use.
ReplyDeleteThank you for a thoughtful and insightful post.
I agree that a wiki in the media center or in the classroom would require some type of constant monitoring, and that could be quite labor intensive. One idea that your post brough to mind, is the idea of using wikis within teaching teams or within departments to plan and edit outlines for notes, a syllabus of a class, or even a team webpage. I manage our team's webpage at my school for the 8th grade. I post assignments and announcements on it regularly. I have to email every individual teacher and then transpose what they want listed on the website onto the site for them. If we could each participate in a wiki, teachers could go in a update their own information when it's convenient for them, then I could post the new webiste information all from one source.
ReplyDeleteJill, you post was very insightful and really made me think about different ways to incorporate wikis. I really enjoy the video and can relate to you on how Wikipedia was the first idea of wikis you had. My information on wikis formed in a similar way. I had not been exposed to editing wikis until Dr. Cooper's admin class and this is where I began to see how useful they could be. I think that the idea you had for grade levels incorporating wikis and working with other individuals on assignments and such is a great way to use wikis. I do see where there could be some problems with editing information and other individuals posting inappropriate content. Great post and interesting ideas.
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