Cindy+Dombrowski

Cindy's page

Hi Cindy. I am just trying to figure out what I am doing! Tracy

Tracy, I think I finally figured out what we are supposed to do. This is different from the directions we were given.


 * Emmy: Sorry for the confusion. Glad you have figured it out. Let me know in an email, if you would be so kind, what the confusion was. **


 * My initial thoughts about ways to use the wiki in a classroom.**

As a librarian, I would use it for a book discussion. The book club could pick a book to read for the month and set a date to meet to discuss the subject matter of the book. Those members who could not attend the meeting could post their thoughts on the wiki and other members could respond to the posts. Those members who may be too shy to talk in front of others would have an outlet for their thoughts. I would have links to the author's website or links to books with similar themes that the members could explore on their own.

According to the article, "Eight Ways to use the Wiki in Schools", this would be a tool to use when developing policies for the library. The policy could be posted in the wiki and members of the committee could edit and add suggestions. Less time would be spent in meetings and the policy would be developed faster.
 * Emmy: I know some teachers who have students create a trailer for the book they are reading in an online program like Animoto, then embed it as a widget into their wiki. Very motivating for kids. **
 * I do not know about Animoto I will have to check it out. **


 * Possibilities, Concerns, and Challenges**

There are many possiblities. Students can collaborate with others around the world on a project. They can express their creativity and discover new passions or interests. Those students who don't participate in class may be more willing to participate on-line. It will maintain the interest of students who shut down in the classroom.

One of the concerns stated in Part 1 was how to identify copyright and plagarism because there is getting to be a gray area when finding information on the internet.

In the school district that my daughter attends, they have filters on the internet because students may wander into inappropriate sites and students can not bring lap tops from home. Cell phones are banned but students know how to get around the rules and still get into things they are not supposed to be into. The school board and parents are afraid of what the students may find on the internet. One of the challenges would be to get rid of the fear that some people have of the internet. Also, administrators and teachers are afraid that if a student does something inappropriate who will get the blame for the incident.

Living in a poor, rural area with high unemployment, some students do not have access to internet at home and it is a drive to the nearest public library.

According to Web 2.0, a challenge will be how to measure academic success. I think we will have to get rid of standardized tests before we can move beyond the classroom walls.

I have used Wikipedia as a first search when doing a research project. I have used the links and checked the sources. So, I am in agreement with PBS when it stated that Wikipedia can be used as a first search but not as only source. Will Richardson and some of the other authors make important points about the validity of the site. Wikipedia is just as accurate as any other source and it is more up to date than any encyclopedia. Wikipedia has over 3.5 million entries and some of the entries are of nontraditional topics, which you would not find in an encyclopedia. Wikipedia gives a warning about the reliability of some of the information and I found it interesting that there are links to a Hate Directory and a Talk Page. I will need to be more observant the next time I am on Wikipedia and check these sites out.
 * Use of Wikipedia in research and how would I advise administration, if asked.**

As for administration, David Rogers made a good point when he said that students have access to Wikipedia from their homes where they would not have access to encyclopedias. I would tell administration that Wikipedia is like any other source and would be used as a starting point in a research paper and students would need to use their critical thinking skills.

**Tracy: there are a lot of videos on youtube that show - in a visual way - how do do this.** Mickey: funny you said that....My 11year old son watched me add the video to my wiki and patted me on the back, "Good job Mom..you did that all by yourself". haha!
 * Questions, Tips, Problems, Triumphs**
 * After viewing the educational wikis, I feel very intimidated. I am a visual learner and like to see how something is done. I have a hard time learning and doing by reading directions. I hope my daughter will not have a lot of homework this week. **