What in the world is a wiki? I had no clue what a wiki was until last semester. I had used Wikipedia (www.wikipedia.org) many times before to gather quick facts, but I had no idea what a wiki really was or how it worked. Honestly—and unfortunately—until recently, I did not know what the term Web 2.0 meant.
So, imagine a website where the content can be created, edited, and accessed by many different users without the need for any special components (hardware, software, or other programs) other than a computer and Internet access. What an ingenious idea! But I have a question: With my very limited knowledge of and experience with wikis, how do I introduce and promote the use of wikis to the teachers and students within my school?
Library 2.0 and Beyond: Innovative Technologies and Tomorrow’s User suggests that wikis can be used as a tool for internal communication, institutional collaboration, and research guides or pathfinders. I think I understand the basic concept of each of these applications, but I know that I don’t completely comprehend all of the possible uses for the school media center. Until recently, the only wikis I have had any experience with are Wikipedia, this wiki for MEDT 6467, and one used by previous classmates to present a research project.
So now I pose two questions: Is there anyone else who shares my self-proclaimed Web 2.0 trepidation? If so, I would love to hear from you, sharing your own thoughts, apprehensions, and anxieties about using these emerging technologies, especially the wiki. If you happen to be one of those virtual technology geniuses, what encouragement and direction can you offer for those of us lost somewhere in between the actual and the virtual?
Courtney, N. (Ed.). (2007). Libraries 2.0 and Beyond: Innovative Technologies and Tomorrow's User.
Lisa, you and I are on the same page. The first time that I heard about a wiki was in this class. I have no prior experience with this and feel like I am totally lost. I can see where this could be a good technology to use but I feel like I have not been trained enough to really understand HOW to use it. In my other media class we are doing a project using a wiki to create a pathfinder. I see where this is going to be something that media specialist post on their wikis that they create for the media center and teachers and students can access it for research purposes. I like that everyone can collaborate to create the project all at the same time without having to email information back and forth the each other. We are learning and hopefully we will come away from this experience with a better understanding of how to use wikis.
ReplyDeleteLike you, Lisa, this has been my first experience with using a wiki. I have also used wikipedia, but I have never contributed information to a wiki until now. One thing that I wish I saw more of was the use of wikis in my school. As far as I know, there is no one that has a wiki. I think a class wiki would be beneficial, but a school-wide wiki might also work well. Our school has a website, but only the media specialist and a few others have the ability to add or change anything on it. A wiki would be a great way to keep parents informed about what is happening in the school while also giving all staff the opportunity to contribute. It would also be a great way to show all of the wonderful things that are happening in our schools that many people never know about.
ReplyDeleteAmanda Fincher
I too was unaware of Wiki until Dr. Cooper's class this summer. I love the concept of being able to share information without much hardware. I think it's great that others can contribute from a distance. It is an alternative to the traditional webpage and can be a great resource in the classroom and beyond. But like you I don’t feel adequate in trying to explain this technology to others. I guess the only way to get others to use a Wiki is to make one and invite others to take a look at it. Maybe on the job training will be beneficial. Sometime learning as you go is fun!
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