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?
I like that wikis can be used as a collaboration tool. Media specialists can use this a collaboration tool to display information to the staff. Because it has privacy, it's a good tool for open communication. Our school has a wiki for teachers to do collaboration. The principal sends messages, thought provoking questions, and professional development topics/videos for our input and information. We use PB Works.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of using a Wiki in the Media Center to share book reviews. Students sharing ideas and interest among latest titles is a great way to stir interest about books. Just think about how many of us go see a movie just because someone told us it was "so good" and not because the professional movies critic tell us. Students are more likely to pick up a title when their peers show interest than when a "professional" such as the media specialists may share the same ideas. Wikis are also a great way for the students and SLMS alike to share information about books. If I were to share on a wiki about a title may be something that is outside the box of normalcy and peak the interests of alternate readers. The same goes for all users on the wiki. What a great way to promote books to everyone!!
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