Wiki Blog

Wikis

What is a wiki and what are the benefits to using a Wiki?

            Wiki is not a new concept.  It originated in the early 1990s in Hawaii.  Wiki, literally meaning “quick”,  is just that…quick.  Wiki spaces are sites where information can be added quickly and edited quickly by any user.  While wikis have had some issues with inappropriate information or facts being stated will now sometimes choose to allow only “invited” followers to post or contribute.  The most know wiki is probably Wikipedia.  Much information can be viewed and researched through Wikipedia, however it is often best to verify any information taken from this site, simply because it is so user friendly and users have the ability to change or list misinformation.

            Wikis allow for collaboration on projects and open ended communication between users.  With this cabability, there are many uses available to the educator and media specialist.  Teachers and media specialists must collaboratively plan together to maximize the media lesson and media center useage. However, with so many new standards and responsibilities, the classroom teacher and media specialist would basically have to add hours to the day to get everything completed that needs to be completed.  Using a wiki to plan units or visits is a simple way to plan together and can be used to plan entire semesters or years.  Media specialists can also use the wiki site to directly connect to classrooms.  Media specialists can set up pathfinders for students to use in the classroom or outside of the media center and get feedback from the users.  Teachers can also take advantage of this tool by adding assignments or additional information that the students will find helpful completing the task listed on the wiki. 

            Wikis can also be used as a preview tool.  Administrators can set up a wiki to preview events for the school year or post agendas prior to faculty meetings. By previewing these events early everyone involved can add individual classroom events to the yearly calendar or special days for different grade levels. Using a yearly wiki is a great way to make sure everyone knows what great things are happening at your school all year. It would also be a great way to spotlight great things at your school to the central office personnel who like to see events and happenings. When administrators poste agendas he/she can be ensured that teachers are prepared and bring necessary documentation to faculty meetings. 

            Using wiki to assist teacher and media collaboratively plan, media specialists connect more directly with students, and administrator connect with faculty and staff (not to mention highlight their school to the central office) it seems there is no way to loose with wiki use.  In fact, we could say it is a “Wikiwin” situation.  I know I certainly plan on sharing wiki information and ways to use with the faculty and staff where I work.

Bowllan, A. (2008). A wiki gives a worthy book new life. School Library Journal,            Retrieved from http://schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6590061.html

(2005). 7 things you should know about..wikis. Educause Learning Initiative, (July),        Retrieved from www.educause.edu/eli

Wikipedia. (2012). Retrieved from www.wikipedia.org

            

Wikis

What are Wikis?

A wiki is a web page that can generally be viewed and edited by anyone with internet access; however, some are limited to only users or those invited to the wikipage.  Wikis are great areas for open-ended content and collaboration among users.  Original wiki development began in the 1990s and has continued to grow in use as our world has dived into the social networking lifestyle.  A variety of people use wikis for business collaboration, departmental collaboration, and classroom collaboration. 

Wikis in the Media Center

I think wikis are a great asset to a media program.  Collaboration is vital to a successful media program and wikis invite communication between the media specialist, teachers, students, staff members, and the community.  An effective media center wiki should include information about the media center, policies & procedures, updates on recently added materials, information about media programs, and any other idea that needs to be communicated between the media specialist and library users.  Wikis can also be more specific by designating a wiki to a particular media program, book reviews, or any other hot topic.  Wikis allow users to access information about the media program from anywhere, keeping a fluid means of communication.  For example, if the media center has a wiki page, the media specialist can create a new wiki page or link for a new library program.  Students, teachers, and any other user can ask questions, provide feedback, and respond to the original post by the media specialist.  Communication can flow easily and ideas are shared building a sense of community between the media specialist and library users. 

Wikis are also sometimes used as a means of storage.  Thus, information is simply posted for users to read and gain information.  While this is not all bad, wikis are better used for collaboration and communication purposes.  This can be done by posting comments or asking users for feedback.  Also, being mindful of the material posted on the wiki page.  Users are more likely to be engaged and respond to an interesting topic that engages the reader and sparks discussion versus simply stating information. 

How does it work?

Wikis are great because no real rules or regulations apply in regards to formatting and content.  Wikis are however creative, fluid, and engaging as the creators and users want to make them.  Control variables can be set to where anyone can access or only a specific group of members can edit.  Comments and posts can easily be deleted at the creators will. 

How could you use wikis in your media program?

To use as an educational tool, an orientation and guidelines should be presented to students.  This orientation can introduce the wiki to students, explain how to access, and provide open discussion on appropriate and inappropriate means of discussion.  Wikis used at the media program level should most likely only be edited by the media specialist and possibly a select team of teachers.  Students and other users should be able to post comments or provide feedback.  Another idea is to create a club or group of students who are in charge of the media wiki. This is a great way to get students involved in the media program.  This would obviously be done with supervision from the media specialist. 

Possibilities are endless when it comes to wikis! Have fun and get creative! How would you use a wiki in your media program?

Podcasting - Student 1

Podcasting in the Media Center

            With the introduction of blogging and Apple’s iPod came the term, podcast.  It is an automatic, easy way to deliver audio and video content to users.  There are numerous uses of sharing audio and video content and this is no exception for the media center. 

            Making podcasts of booktalks is a great way to showcase new library materials and get students excited about new books and upcoming book fairs.  It is difficult to schedule every class to visit the media center before a fair, and yet recording a podcast to the library website or showing the podcast through the school’s TV news program are great ways to reach all students. 

            Interactive displays utilizing video podcasts would be an exciting way to highlight the library’s use of technology.  I can envision an elaborate display of themed books with a computer screen in the middle, looping a podcast describing the elements of the display. 

            Podcasts can be used for library education; recording lessons or sharing supplemental material to accompany what was previously learned. 

            Podcasts can also be used to communicate with the school community, posting links to the school newsletter or website.  They can be used to inform the community about upcoming events, new resources, missions, or to promote the library in general. 

            I like the idea of giving a tour of the library through a video podcast.  Viewers can visually see the updated information and stay up to date with new, exciting events and programs the library has to offer. 

            The many benefits of podcasting include the efficient and inexpensive equipment necessary for recording.  Microphones and webcams are very inexpensive these days and recording software can be downloaded from the internet for free.  Some other suggestions for podcast use in the classroom include; making a class news show, recording foreign language communication practice, and pretend radio shows to showcase knowledge of learned history. 

            Whether the podcast is audio or if it incorporates video, the resources available are very easy to access and use.  Media specialists may utilize podcasts for their own library website and needs or involve students by incorporating podcasts into library lessons and presentations. 

- Mary Elfers (student 1)

 

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Team 4, MEDT 7477, Fall 2012: Based on the student numbers and schedules, do your original blog posts here.
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