In my understanding, a Wiki is a website that allows the creation and editing of information on web pages via a web browser. A Wiki allows a user to join in a multi-user situation to collaborate on an area of joint interest or work. A Wiki allows users to create and edit work. Wikis encourage group social interaction and collaboration allowing users to contribute and support each other at a time, and from a place that suits them.
Wikis can be a useful tool in an educational setting allowing differentiation in the classroom setting and facilitating groups to work collaboratively to create information and develop understanding. It allows for pupil centred learning where students are actively involved in the construction of their knowledge, enabling students to guide their own learning and allowing them to develop new channels for communication and collaboration. As more material is added the information available grows. It allows for everyone to build on what they know and gain more information.
A Wiki in the classroom situation can be used for a variety of purposes including story writing and research sharing. It allows interactive learning and support on that journey. Everyone brings their own slant to the forum and hopefully everyone learns benefits. The Wiki enables changes in the document to be tracked. It is possible to see who has made changes and when they occurred. It is important that information is checked, so that incorrect data or facts are not included. The collaborative effect of a group working together, needs to acknowledge this weakness and regularly check on co-workers information.
A Ning is an online platform for people to create or become involved in social networks usually related to a common interest. Sites are focused on an area of particular interest, as diverse as web 2.0 for teaching to scrapbooking for dummies, and allow members to contribute to the site, comment on contributions already made, ask question to be answered from the audience of the Ning and give support and assistance to readers and contributors.
At the primary level such platforms may not be suitable for the student but highly beneficial as support for the teacher where it allows membership to a focused, highly motivated group ready and ever present waiting to collaborate and share on the area of interest. Teachers have to be learners more so now than ever before as the technological changes expand and multiple rapidly before our eyes. We have to stay in touch. As a learner being a member of online communities assists in the task of staying up to date and head of the game in our efforts to guide the learning and assist in improving learning outcomes for all students in our care.
Students lap up opportunities to learn and explore new and different applications available online. Students find this motivating and become engaged and excited when using various products to enhance their work. This is what teaching is about: opening doors to new worlds and expanding horizons. Wikis, blogs, Glogster, Flikr and Bubble.Us are a few of the many tools that students can benefit from as they open up opportunities for all learners to experience success. These applications can inspire and motivate students by giving them other resources to present their ideas.
The use of web 2 tools not only enhances learning of our students but also as professionals our learning must also be geared along the same lines.
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