Wikipedia contains the expertise of the learned, the experience of the aged, and the evolution of idea, both fact and fiction. In many regards, teachers, despite their warnings to students to avoid these "sources", find themselves at odds with students who cannot depart from these info-rich texts. However, the old addage, "if you can't beat them, join them" may be appropriate as teachers and students rethink the usage of this popular resource. What if, for example, wikipedia became more than a place to get information, but a place to add information? A place to divulge your experience and expertise? It is happening! And, according to Will Richardson, it should happen more often!
Often times, wiki pages that are devoted to a particular topic reveal the combined work of 10's, 100's or even 1,000's of editors. Why couldn't students be a part of creating a collective research paper. Further, students who are supposed to research a topic, have their work completed for them at wikipedia. Why reinvent the wheel? Yet, I do believe the skills necessary to do good research and critique poor research are invaluable; hence, we cannot do away with the benefit of pressing students to "reinvent the wheel," so to speak.
How about developing a classroom wiki? These can contain helpful review materials, podcasts of student work and thinking, relevant YouTube videos, book reviews, reflective essays, history, responses to teacher prompts or collaborative assignments.
I've just created a wiki page. The link is: http://www.wikispaces.com/user/my/christopherrairick
However, I set it as private. . .I'm not really sure what that means yet. I am also not sure what it is I've actually just done; however, if it something I do not need to master yet, I am good with working on it over time!
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