Wikis

A wiki is a type of social networking website that allows multiple individuals to edit common pages. You can control the access to the wikipages by using security features to "protect" the website. What's cool about wikis is that they are free, and accessible to your students from almost anywhere. Students and teachers can collaborate on ideas. It's almost like a whiteboard available to people in different locations.

Ideas for using a wiki in my classroom:

1. I love the virtual field trip idea especially since our campus is trying to limit field trips - I have students who have never been to a museum. Or how about a wiki field trip prior to the actual field trip so that the students could be prepared for the visit?

2. I frequently have my students conduct research on various types of sculptural projects. I have them write a bibliography. Then I have to spend time online verifying their sources. If I have them document their sources with links on a wiki - it could save me a lot of time. Other students could also find interesting links to websites / images for further inspiration

A downside is copyright - Will my students be more likely to copy images in their artwork? I guess I just have to make sure that they are VERY aware of the copyright laws. I have this issue whether online or not.

3. Glossary - I am big into content specific vocabulary. Students could create their own glossary with definitions and images that demonstrate or embody the vocabulary lists.

4. Student portfolios - I currently keep digital portfolios for my upper level classes. I have had difficulty cataloging the images for all of the students. With a wiki, the students could catalog their own! Students could also conduct written critiques and self-reflections online.

5. Classroom Scrapbook - Similar to the student portfolio, but with a limited number of images could be used to recruit students into classes, or used as examples for projects / assignments

6. My AP students must constantly monitor their progress towards the creation of a portfolio for submission to the collegeboard. A calendar template may help the to better manage their time.

The main disadvantage I foresee is the accessibility of computers for my students. I get bumped from the labs because it's only fine arts ;-(