What I Know I Share! (W.I.K.I.S.)

Wikis seem to be all the rage lately! Wikis here, wikis there! Wikis are virtually everywhere!  Still not sure what it is? I wouldn't judge you, it took me a while to figure them out and there's no shame in that. Click here for a "Quicki on Wiki," a brief but clear blurb on this tech tool that is quickly rising in popularity in schools across the country.

I have to be honest, when I first heard about wikis and their potential use in the classroom I felt hesitant.  Could I really just create a website and then turn around and essentially leave it in the hands of an elementary school class to do with it what they may?  What kind of strange and messy monster could it turn into...

However, my hesitation quickly turned into anticipation and curiosity as I learned more about the uses and benefits of wikis in the classroom (mostly from reading articles posted by my classmates on our very own class wiki). What ingenuity! What ideas! A wiki as a travelogue? A fanclub? A classroom newspaper? The possibilities are only limited by the imaginations of those choosing the topic to wiki about!

Any potential challenges or issues are outweighed by their advantageous counterparts.  Students entering incorrect information? Other students (as well as the teacher) can monitor the site and reverse any falsities or even vandalism.  Don't want others outside of the class to edit/add information? Soft security precautions are available.  You can do the research yourself, but this tech tool is pretty much fool-proof.

However, in my opinion, one of the best reasons, if not the best, to use a wiki in the classroom is to illustrate and confirm the notion of the classroom as a "learning community," in which each student can, and does, have an effect on the learning of their fellow students. A class wiki, in any form, gives students a medium through which they can contribute information such that they are truly in a reciprocal learning environment, and their role is not only that of a student who learns but also one who teaches and shares information, through this "What I Know I Share" approach.

What kinds of things will your class W.I.K.I.S. about? I can't wait to find out...

Blogging Encourages Critical Thinking

In the second chapter of her book, Using Blogs to Enhance Literacy, Dianne Penrod discusses an important point about blogging and its effects on student learning, in that it encourages critical thinking.  I wholeheartedly agree with this idea, and while Penrod asserts that this is certainly true for those doing the blogging, I think it works in more ways than just one to promote this important skill - that is, for both those who are doing the blogging as well as the audiences who follow those blogs.

Bloggers must use critical thinking skills as they gather the thoughts they wish to blog about, and as they search and sift through various sources of information that will ultimately help them elicit interest, engage, and in some cases- convince, the audiences they are seeking to attract.  I doubt that a blogger would have much of a following if he/she merely stated the obvious/trivial/facts of the matter.  Similarly, the audiences who read the blogs are often also encouraged to engage in critical thinking, particularly when they are invited to post questions and comments that may help them further explore the concepts being discussed, or just share their own thoughts/opinions on the matter (whether they agree or disagree!).

I have to admit, I would have never thought that blogging could be such a powerful literacy tool.  But, thankfully, I learn something new just about every day:)

My Life in Warp Speed

The past two weeks have really flown by for me, it's hard to believe that so much time has passed already!  I think part of the reason why is because I've only been in each of my 3 classrooms (kindergarten, 2nd, and 4th grades) twice so far.  In keeping with things that are hard to believe: I love kindergarten!! I realize it's still early in the year, and like I said I've only been with my kindergarten class two times, but so far I really really love it.  I didn't think I wanted to teach this age-group (based on my experiences working in tot camps and substituting) and originally felt certain that I wanted to be in 2nd grade or above, but now I am really reconsidering things.  The kindergartners are rambunctious and fidgety and energetic and adorable and sensitive and inquisitive and silly and sweet, and with every mood or state they're in- I'm reminded of the reasons why I decided to become a teacher! That's not to say that I don't also love my 2nd and 4th graders as well; I truly enjoy being in those classes with those students and those teachers - I'm learning so much and having a lot of fun while doing it. :)

However, to say that my experience so far has been entirely smooth sailing would be...not entirely true.  Two words: bugs and food poisoning (ok - so that's 3 words). While not exactly the kind of potentially complex issues that I thought I would be facing, I'm sort of glad that they came up because I am aware of these possible (albeit somewhat minor) problems and how I can deal with them (or conversely, what NOT to do)!

This week I also experienced "Back to School Night" and I am so glad I got to be a part of that! It's not as scary or overwhelming as I was expecting (part of the reason may be because I wasn't the actual classroom teacher doing the actual presentation to the actual parents and families).  However, getting to see what goes on and how the teacher prepared for it (the materials she got together and the information she compiled and passed out, how she set up the classroom in terms of seating arrangements, etc) was fantastic because it's given me some great base ideas!

Anyhoo, as my journey continues- I'll be sure to keep you posted. Cheers!

My First Independent Blog

Hi friends.  This is the first time I am blogging on my very own blog, and making it public! I hope you find it engaging, informative, and/or entertaining in some way.  Cheers!