WikiSpaces: A Reflection

Technical Aspects – An Overview:

WikiSpaces is a digital classroom which offers a social writing platform for teachers and students. Not only can data be uploaded and shared to a network, but tasks can be set and student engagement measured. These are only the basic tools WikiSpaces offers; the organizer can create projects and events, or a new ‘Page’ for a new topic. The navigation is simple as the ‘Pages’ are listed in a permanent tool bar on the right of the page, allowing students to switch between subjects and content offered by their teacher seamlessly. Since WikiSpaces can act as a website, a Blog or an endless sheet of butchers paper it is an ideal platform to organise everything in one place.

The settings, meanwhile, allow the organizer (creator) of the page to invite new members by entering an email address. The invited member must accept, however, which may make the ‘Join Code’ option more suitable in a classroom situation. If interested in a tutorial on how to use the Join Code click here. Essentially, rather than enter each individual address, you can have WikiSpaces generate an URL address and Join Code. When a student visits your WikiSpaces via the generated URL and enters the Code they will automatically become a member. This is a relatively new feature – only having been introduced in 2014 – but has proved extremely popular. And since the creator of the page can change the settings to private – only members can edit the content – it ensures that no outside user can manipulate the Wiki.

One of the most alluring aspects of WikiSpaces for a teacher is the multi-author function. Unlike a website – which is static – and a Blog – which can only be commented on – WikiSpaces allows for collaborative and simultaneous editing. For example, a teacher may design a scaffold on a Page to develop students’ critical thinking in relation to the analysis of a literary text. Despite the fact only one member can edit the pre-established Page at a time, the content itself can be edited, added to or deleted. While this may present problems – loss of information, plagiarism – the idea of allowing multiple perspectives on a network will enhance teamwork and communication. And, if by some accident, critical information is deleted the ‘History Function’ can recover anything lost.

Customising WikiSpaces, unlike on a website or Blog, is limited. The basic layout cannot be altered, but the Pages themselves can be as creative as one can imagine. Images, GIFs, links, YouTube videos and the altering of text is all possible, allowing for originality and eye-catching content. In saying that, WikiSpaces is easy to use once one has navigated it for a short while. My initial reaction when creating an account was that the platform was cluttered – there were buttons everywhere! But after browsing and creating a practice page I realised it was not nearly as intimidating. Thus, limited experience is needed to maneuver it, but I believe that Generation Z will have no issues operating the layout quickly!

Learning Outcomes:

When faced with the question ‘What learning outcomes can [WikiSpaces] support in your classroom?’ my mind instantly thought of the Year 12 Biology example in this week’s Moodle readings. The point of the reading was that ICT can be integrated seamlessly into learning.

WikiSpaces, consequently, can:

• -          Support collaboration and individual study
• -          Personalise pathways
• -          Develop ICT skills and digital literacy
• -          Aid in comprehension via images accompanying text
• -          Aid in activities using scaffolding as multiple students’ can insert
         their input 
• -          Aid in evaluating online resources
• -          Aid in arranging and organising information
• -          Aid in students’ learning how to design their own space
• -          Aid students’ in learning how to reflect upon past work
• -          Aid students’ in synthesising a large mass of information

While all of these activities are performed on a digital platform they will support students’ in activities such as assignments; being able to view how peers scaffold will offer alternate ways to approach assessment and its completion. Evaluating online resources to use them in personal activities on WikiSpaces can act as preparation for exams or literary readings as it requires critical thinking. Arranging and organising information online can be a difficult task, yet will be an important skill for research assignments, class notes or even a cut and paste activity! The list can go on and on, depending on how a teacher constructs their personal WikiSpace.

Applying learning outcomes to pedagogy:

One point I deem most important from the above is that ICT, such as WikiSpaces, can aid in personalising students’ pathways.

Sourced from: https://33.media.tumblr.com/5856d1599041c8def1a31f3316b9f1f3/tumblr_mo8nk3aG6L1sq03nro1_500.gif

Research conducted by Andrew Fuller (2014) found that fostering students’ authentic goals and challenging them results in improved performance, self-confidence and self-esteem. A tool such as WikiSpaces in English or History could dramatically alter one’s pedagogy and the learning of pupils. Within my teaching context I would use a platform such as WikiSpaces as the centre point of information; a website, a blog, a digital classroom. Uploading weekly content not only allows me to go through it with my class, but it offers a chance for students’ to study the content at their own pace, return to it, or view it if they were away. Treating certain Pages as a website would allow me to upload information I wanted pupils to analyse or evaluate. Or I could ask them to complete a scaffold in order for them to organise and analyse their opinions. From there students’ are able to personalise their learning; they can take the information to their own page and conduct their own research. WikiSpaces is an amazing tool with unlimited opportunities.

Of course, I would still have paper copies in those times of power outages!

The SAMR Model:

If you would like to view my WikiSpaces (designed as a basic example) feel welcome to!