Gail+Desler

Notes from Reading, Writing, & Wikis Session

Wikis - an open-ended, malleable tool that can be used for almost anything.

We have to change admin mindset of buying packaged curriculum for online learning. We need open-ended tools. "Not what, but how and why."

What does the research show? ISTE Journal - using a wiki results in final exam success; repeated use over time resulted in improved academic success.

Readin' & Writin' - focusing on literacy across the curriculum. Reports from Carnegie - Elements of Effective Writing Instruction (free PDF download).

Elements: * Strongest use of wikis
 * summarization
 * collaborative writing *
 * specific product goals
 * word processing
 * inquiry activities *
 * process writing (ex. 6 Traits)
 * content learning - getting teachers past the "I'm not a reading/writing teacher" - students need to write within specific content areas.
 * model & provide examples (vs. fake examples of writing)
 * relevancy

Wikis - website that's easy to edit without any coding background needed. "The simplest thing that could possibly work." Emerged in the 1990s in business and IT departments.

How & where can we use wikis in the classroom?


 * OER (open education resources) - content available online for free. There are gaps in OER. Solution: have students create OERs to bridge gaps.