Thing #8

A wiki allows a group of people to collaboratively develop a Web site with no knowledge of HTML or other markup languages. Anyone can add to or edit pages in a wiki -- it is completely egalitarian. Anyone can create new wiki pages simply by creating a new link with the name of the page. Pages are connected not hierarchically, but by hyperlinks between pages.


After clicking on resources and learning more about what wikis are, I learned that wikis are collaborative and that anyone could put input into one. I use wikipedia a lot so it was interesting to learn more about what it is and how wikis can be used to help libraries and students. 


Here is what I learned from library wikis:
SJCPL Subject Guides - When I opened this wiki I found that it gave the user so much information at your fingertips on how to write a biography or memoir. It teaches you about blogging, which I thought was a great idea! It even gave you tips of how to scrapbook using technology. It definitely is innovative. There are also links on the right that will take you directly to the library's databases to search for books on specific topics. 


Book Lovers Wiki - On this wiki, I found that it was well organized. It has a navigator on the right for you to navigate and find books based on categories and genres. It also give great summaries on books to let the reader know what it is about. It also teaches you how to create a new page in wiki in only two easy steps! I can really see how this wiki is beneficial to students and the libraries. 


Library Success: A best practices wiki- this wiki can help libraries start a wiki page and learn how to become more successful. I would love to share this with our librarian at my school. There is a contents box on the right that outlines and allows you to click on certain information and sections in order to learn about how to successfully make a wiki. 


The Bull Run Library wiki- this wiki reminded me a bit of the Book Lovers Wiki in the way it is organized, but I noticed this wiki has more information about upcoming events happening at the library including summer programs. This is a great way to market the library and let people come. A great idea would be to have announcements on our own school wiki and host more reading programs at our school to get parents and the community involved in helping out students excel in reading. 


Educator Wikis/Teacher Wikis - these wikis were amazing and a great way to get students interested in their classes. There is so much posted on these wikis like homework, discussion, etc. It allows students to also go back and share with others their learning or even ask for help. If I wanted to start something like this I would need all my students and parents to get onboard too and teach them how to use it. I know my students would love the idea that they can still learn from their teacher without being at school. This kind of technology intrigues and excites my students. The younger you start teaching them how to use technology appropriately the more literate they will be in the 21st century. 

My thoughts:I think wikis would help teachers a schools a lot. It allows teachers to be more creative and learn now things as well as making students more engaged in their learning. It helps them take responsibility for their learning. It makes learning life long and not just at school. In the future I would love to start a wiki or perhaps help my school create one to help us collaborate more. My principal at my school has just created a blog for our school during the summer to keep us all connected on things to think about and provide input to her about. I know you cna do some much with technology and it has no limits.