What is a Wiki? I thought the same thing when I heard the term. A wiki is a shared online space that invites collaboration from users. A special education teacher at West Elementary School developed a school wide program that would help develop language skills in special education students. The students involved were part of a writing project that used wikis to facilitate collaboration among the students, parents, and teachers. According to Clements and Nastasi, technology use can promote social interaction, peer teaching, and collaboration, and the group of teachers that created the wiki made sure they put those skills to use among students. The beginning of the program began as a graduation requirement as a graduate course in educational leadership at a local university. From that requirement the Wiki Writers program was crated and evolved into a yearlong collaboration that required students to write projects and communicate internationally with pen pals. It also required parents to get involved and promoted collaboration between students.
The collaborative team determined what students participated and then determined what students needs are. The collaborative team consisted of the Title 1 teacher, two special education teachers, and a technology coach. While in the planning process the team determined that the chosen group of students needed vocabulary and language development. The parents of the students were also involved. They supported the program and participated in events that celebrated student progress and accomplishments. Throughout the duration of the program assessment data and work samples were collected to monitor student progress. Each month the students had an assignment they were required to complete. A list of the assignments is listed below.
- September- Journal writing
- October- Collaboration with a school in South Africa
- November- Created a list of places they would like to take their e-pals
- December- Writing holiday poems
- January- Reading biographies of famous people
- February- Family PowerPoint project
- March- Animal Photo Story
- April- Created a virtual investigation of historical and recreational sites in a state
This project lasted over one school year and the participants were excited about learning and writing there pen pals. The students reading progress was tracked using the county’s reading benchmark exams and the Houghton Mifflin’s leveled reading passage assessment. In the end the majority of students participating in the program demonstrated an increase of 3 to 5 reading levels (p.347).
According to Ertmer, in order for a technology integrated program to be successful, it must provide training, exist on site, and supply support that is immediate to teacher needs and this project contained all of those components (p.347). This was an amazing project that got students involved and excited about learning. The support from the staff and parents played a vital role in making the project a success. If you are interested in participating in this on your school campus I advise you to read the article. Below is a list of suggestions that may help you implement a program of this sort at your school.
- Get approval from the school administration
- Develop a collaborative team
- Solicit support from the PTA
- Solicit parent consent from participating students
- Create a wiki
- Select students
- Acquire pen pals through networking this in the school system
Article Citation:
Andes, L., Claggett, E. (2011). Wiki Writer: Students and Teachers Making Connections Across Communities. Reading Teacher, Vol. 64 Issue 5, p345-350.
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