Roger+Furrer

1. How could a student use a Wiki site for the classroom?

I can see using a wiki as part of a writing process exercise. Students could post writing samples on a wiki and other students in the class could comment on them or respond. Of course, this could be done in Google Classroom as well. A Wiki could also be a way for English language learners to practice writing and responding to other students’ writings. It could also be a way of doing class discussions or debates. It would be a way to manage journals, group work, or formative assessment. Again, this all could be done in Google Classroom. It also handicaps those students who don’t have access to internet at home, so accommodations would have to be made. At this point in time, I can see this technology as augmenting instruction in the classroom. It is not feasible as a primary mode of instruction in rural and low income areas.

2. How could a teacher use this site?

Wiki’s would be a great way to communicate with parents who have access to the internet at home or at work. It could also be a way to communicate with students about assignments, answer questions or facilitate dialogues about reading assignments.

I can also see teachers teaching the same literature or class using wikis to exchange ideas about how to approach a subject or get support if the students weren’t getting a concept. Such a wiki could be used within a school or across schools.

3. What sites are you using as a teacher? And how?

As a practicum student, I am very limited to the technology I can use in the classroom as I am limited to the LPS public connection and everything, including YouTube, is blocked. In my Oral Communications class, we do use the Cooperating Teacher’s computer and connection to show TEDX Talks as exemplars for speeches and YouTube to show peer speeches that have been posted. Outside of class I tried Pinterest for graphic organizers, but have resorted to Google since it captures Pinterest posts and posts from other sites as well. I also found Pinterest good for elementary level graphic organizers, but less successful with material appropriate for high school.