Wikispaces Working Wonders

Dawn CortezMiddle School Language Arts EducatorBlessed Sacrament Catholic SchoolSan Antonio, Texas

Absract

Comprehension

Student technological skills

Additional academic needs met for special needs

Students online access to classroom books

Improve grades

Organization of student deadlines and assignments

Alternative forms of assessment

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Technology utilized as an online personalized classroom space for core subject material can allow for and increase:

•What is a "wiki"?A wiki is a space on the Web where work and ideas, pictures and links, videos and media — and anything else you can think of can be shared with a specific audience in mind. This space allows anyone and everyone to be able to create content online by using easily understandable tools that in turn afford opportunities for "collaborative construction".

i.e.Wikipedia, an online encyclopedia created by users from around the globe.

INTRODUCTION

1. Students use cel phones to text and use other applications in order to maintain communication .

2. Students are using tablets with specific applications.

3. Most students are equipped with computers at home. If not, their use of technology allows them the skills needed to operate those computers available in school.

Students TodayText Me, Tweet Me, Teach Me with Technology

Cel phones

ComputersTablets

Taking Ownership

Student Centered Learning

LEARN IT Allowing students to take ownership of their learning and using existing or prior knowledge, affords them the power to learn.

CREATE IT

OWN IT

USE IT

Educational SettingWIKISPACES USES

Teachers and StudentsSchools and DistrictsUniversities

WHO

In a classroom setting Wikis are easy to maintain and use for both teachers and students

WHY

3 From Student Portfolios to Distance Learning

HOW

EXAMPLES:

Student Portfolios : advantage

Project-Based Learning

Student Assignments

Curriculum Planning and Professional Development : advantage

Distance Learning

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Educational Value: By allowing users to contribute at a time place appropriate for them, Wikis then provide asynchronous communication which in turn allows for group social interaction and collaboration. When students are immersed in the building of their own knowledge, learning then becomes more valuable and effective.

Benefits to LearningTechnology and Wikis

• Blended Learning• Continuum: online to face-

to-face• Flipped/Rotation Classroom

• Distance Learning i.e.

Blackboard• Learning groups• Support broadcasting of

information• Enable group interaction

• Differentiation• Accomodating to meet

needs for both the GT student and the student with special needs

FOR THE CLASSROOM

Special Needs:• A more balanced classroom• An increase in student motivation

for learning• Personalized lessons to meet

student needs

Gifted and Talented:• Self-directed learning• Allows the student to learn more

and go beyond• Gives the challenge needed to keep

them engaged• Bridges the socioeconomic gap

FOR THE STUDENTS

Research based articles by Matthew Jenkin, Jennifer Job, Kris Zorigian, and Sylvia S. Martin

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Foundation

In order for blended learning to work in the classroom, the focus must be centered around technology.

Flipped – Take the classroom home and bring homework to the classroom.• Reduces late work• Allows for more discussion time over material covered• Creates more individualized time

Rotation – Interval time limits between face to face, independent, and technology time in the classroom.• All the same benefits of a flipped classroom. Most or

all of the work is completed under direction of the teacher in the classroom with regular assigned homework and in class activities.

Blended LearningHow it works

Blended Learning

Technology

Flipped

Rotation

• Welcome Wiki Page

My WikispaceHow I Have Used Wikispaces in the Classroom

Access to the textbook online allows students to be able to complete homework activities and also use audio features to assist with reading. This ability also lends to the flipped classroom environment.

Access to worksheets for additional assistance with comprehension as well as homework assignment completion or collaborative group activities.

Access to literature and materials to be used in conjunction with novel studies. Links within the site provide access to classical literature in various formats allowing for alternative reading styles enabling higher achievements in classroom goals as well as options for additional reading assistance.

Literature and TextbookREADING

TEXTBOOK

ENRICHED

and

EXTRAS

GRAPHIC ORGANIZERS

Tools for Practicing Writers

Writing

T Specific writing prompts:

• Middle school 6th – 8th

• Expository

• Narrative

• Persuasive

• Bibliographical

CHECK IT OUT!

JOURNALSRESEARCH

Poetry and Literary Devices:

• Templates

• Charts

• Word Cloud Creators

• Definitions/Examples

CHECK IT OUT!

POETRY

Links for:

• Bibliography writing

• Grammar assistance

• Plagiarism checker

• MLA formatting

CHECK IT OUT!

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Access to an online dictionary and thesaurus

TRY ME OUT!

Online tests for practice and assessment

Links for students needing additional assistance with spelling and basic vocabulary

Access to online teacher created “quizlets”

Additional websites for students needing challenge

Textbook access for audio support and activities for practice

Context Comprehension and MoreVocabulary

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IMPROVEMENTReal Students – Real Numbers

Last 3 weeks

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Scores taken from a total of 40 students with combined learning abilities

1st 10 weeks only 1/4 of the students did online testing

2nd 10 week period 1/3 of the students completed online testing

To date – all students are using online testing to aid with vocabulary skills

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Today

Organization and Collaboration Create Responsible Students and

Include Content for Colleagues

By including other content areas and a schedule or calendar on my Wiki:

• Gives students one place to go• Allows me to aid students in other areas• Helps me answer parent questions• Allows students time needed in other subject

areas • Gives parents and students a way to verify

assignment due dates

SCIENCE AND SPANISH / CALENDAR

Evidence Based Research

A study done by the Department of Education:– Students in online conditions performed modestly better, on average, than those learning

the same material through traditional face-to-face instruction.– Instruction combining online and face-to-face elements had a larger advantage relative

purely face-to-face instruction than did purely online instruction.– Online learning can be enhanced by giving learners control of their interactions with media

and prompting learner reflection. – Learning experiences can be classified in terms of the amount of control that the student

has over the content and nature of the learning activity.– Blends of online and face-to-face instruction, on average, had stronger learning outcomes

than did face-to-face instruction alone.– Elements such as video or online quizzes do not appear to influence the amount that

students learn in online classes. BOO!!!!

Research Says:

Considerations for Your WikiSummary

Research

Collaborate

Be Creative

AnticipateLearning

Plan

for Diversity

Give Students Control

THANK YOU!

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