How to use Wikis in the Classroom

What is a wiki?
A wiki is at its essence a website that continually be edited and developed upon my multiple individuals.  With a wiki, not only is a viewer able to look at the material provided, but can become and editor and provide insight and information.  A wiki is always under construction. Perhaps we have all heard of the most popular wiki, Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia.  This is an online reference with no one author but many, many, contributors.  More information and details about what a wiki is can be found here.

How can I  use them in my classroom? 

Within classrooms, we have multiple ways wiki's can benefit the education process.  One very obvious thought i have for the use of wiki's in the classroom, are group projects.  There can be constant updating and working from remote locations.  This aids in being able to work outside of the classroom, and addresses issues that students may face in having transportation.  

We can also use wiki's as an educational tool.  It allows for basic website editing skills to be learned.  If you are technology based classroom and you have an educational standard to reach on teaching basic web editing, wiki would be a great place to start. 

In agriculture classrooms we often look for new ways to develop the use of technology for our students.  Wikis can be used to help that.  In the Vet Science unit students are encouraged to participate in a Vet Science SAE project.  That project can be tracked and recorded using a wiki to present a usable website at the end of the project.  

Whiteboard Research Base

In reading chapter one of the iBook: Effective Use of Interactive Whiteboards, i learned in depth information that allows for the development of usage of an interactive whiteboard into the classroom.  

First what is an interactive whiteboard?  An interactive whiteboard or an IWB is commonly known as a smart board, that allows for interactive display in the format of a whiteboard that reacts to user input directly or through other devices. (WhatIs.com)

The reading gave a very good comprehensive overview of IWBs and how they can be used effectively in the classroom.  We also found in the reading some tips and tricks to formatting and making a usable flipchart.  

For myself the instructional benefits is proven through sound effective research.  These devices allow for interactivity, obviously, but in a variety of ways.  It also addresses students sensory needs in a classroom, and addresses a variety of sensory modes.  In a traditional classroom the lecture mode is a quick way to go, however research has proven we need more interactive.  Research also shows that students learn best in interactive modes.  

There are a lot of pros to this resource, however there are cons to using IWBs.  In some research it is argued that students can become technologically dependents.  This increases the size of a population that is lacking basic communication skills and reactivity skills.  However, I feel with a good solid balance of interactive technology with traditional teaching methods we can decrease the size of that problematic population.  

Integrating Technology into the classroom

This past week I read the article “Integrating Technology into the Classroom.” This article gives a look back on technology used in classrooms, the motivation behind integrating classroom technology, examples of classroom technology uses, the concerns of using technology, and the recommendations to improve the adaptation of technology to the classroom.

Historical Background

The usage of technology overtime has changed.  When I first started elementary school the best days of school were when you saw the television cart with the loaded VCR ready to watch a movie.  We had basic audiovisual techniques that included the box screened television and the almighty overhead projector.  The article highlights those changes, even quoting Thomas Edison “Books will soon be obsolete in the schools…. It is possible to teach every branch of human knowledge in the motion picture.”  We have seen this become the case as well as the types of technology that allows us to share written technology.  The article discusses the usage of the personal computer as well internet usage.   Since this article was written in 2007 we have seen even more growth in technology formats.  This will continue to change and develop, how will we continue to change and develop the uses to our classroom?

Motivation

According to the article the main sectors pushing technology adaptation in the classroom are the non profit organizations, commerce, and education sectors.   Take a look at ISTE, NETS-T, NETS-S and NCLB, all have plans and promises to develop and implement technology plans in k-12 classrooms.  Private industry is developing and retooling technology everyday.  There re-engineering of the technology allows for new products.  New products comes intense marketing campaigns to implement this new technology in our classrooms.  Teachers are wanting to become more learner centered instructors.  The usage of technology allows us to do that more effectively.  Students can develop and learn in a modified “real world” situation by allowing technology into our classrooms.  As educators we can meet goals and standards in new exciting ways by having technology in our classroom.

Classroom Examples

In our classrooms we can have many forms of technology.  W can have interactive whiteboards, that allow us to develop interactive flipcharts for students to discover material.  These “smart boards” are commercial technology that replaces a white board or but enables us to write over the material presented.  Classroom management software allows the instructor to see what the student is doing on their desktop, as well as control internet access and overall desktop management.  Student response systems such as clickers allow for us to collect information from students in an interactive setting.  We can also use this as an attendance check.  The article includes many more examples.  For more information follow the link in the introduction to the entire article.

Concerns

The article provides more insight to why concerns still exist for integrating technology into the classroom.  We have unwilling teachers that for a variety of reason are reluctant to change, that do not want to bring in new methods.  There are those who believe that technology creates a dependency and creates a person with a lack of basic fundamental skills.  There are also those who freak out because of copyright and plagiarism concerns causing reluctance.  There is also a digital divide in population. I come from a school system that there is a large population that does not have access to internet at home.  There are concerns by making this a requirement the student is put at a disadvantaged place.  This also requires a trained teacher base, for those already in the profession this leaves the school district having to provide training.  Is this feasible for the school?  

Recommendations

The overall recommendations can be found by following the link in the introductory paragraph.  Basically, we want to encourage legal implementation.  Follow policy standards.  Encourage students to avoid plagiarism and support interdisciplinary collaboration.  Ensure all polices are being followed and enjoy the creative world of technology in the modern classroom.  

Review of "A Day in the Life of An AG Teacher Blog"

A Day in the Life of An Ag Teacher, is a blog focusing on the experiences of agriculture teachers in the United States.  The blog is sponsored by National Association of Agricultural Educators.  There are multiple authors from around the United States represented on this blog. As seen on the map, you can see the dispersal of the  blog authors. This provides a different perspective with each blog, of different issues and solutions in agriculture education around the world.  

It is difficult to find a sizable number of quality agriculture education based blogs.  I often wonder if that is attributed to the perception of agriculture teachers being “older men who do not like computers.” I wonder if this stereotype plays into the reality as to why there are not a significant amount of agriculture teacher blogs.  I also wonder if the lack of blogs and online resources for agriculture education aids in providing misconceptions about agriculture education being “in the past” compared to other subject areas.  

As you can see in the image here, the blog has a vast variety of information. It provides us with new resources, lesson plans, and experiences of teachers around the united states. The blog gives specific details to what works in different areas.   The blog also gives us a platform to find curriculum guidelines.  Curriculum standards are similar across all states, so we can easily pull lesson plans to guide our thought processes.  As well as make changes in the classroom quickly and effectively as plans can change on the fly every day.  

This was a fun take away from one of the blog posts.  It discussed comfort and distractions in a classroom.  This teacher had a fun creative way to handle cell phone usage in the classroom.  

As teachers we all look for sources of information.  Blogs are a creative way for us to share information.  A Day in the Life of an Ag Teacher, is a good quality ag teacher blog.  I would highly recommend this blog to anyone in the agriculture education filed.  

Copyrights and Fair Usage

What is a copyright?

A copyright defines the usage of your personal published work.  It allows for specific usage agreements and ownership to be retained by the creator.  Any, original to the producer, tangible work can be copyrighted.  Which includes written works, and recorded works.  Original means the work can only be copyrighted by the person who first person who created the material.  Things that cannot receive a copyright include items that are created in the public view.  For example an idea, thought or blank document cannot receive a copyright.

What is fair use?
Fair usage allows for just what it says, appropriate and fair usage of the copyrighted material.  There is not set guidelines for this.  It is recommended we think of four factors in deciding fair usage.  What is the purpose and character of the usage we are attempting.  Is it in good character and of a positive purpose.  What is the nature of the copyright? What policies are in place? What is the amount of the property being used? What is the effect of the potential market?  These are all factors that contribute to fair usage.

When we as instructors copy or use material we need to consider two factors.  What is the brevity and spontaneity of using the material?  This means how much of the material are we using?  And how long would it take to plan to reach out to the owner of the copyright to use the material.  

Though there are no standard rules, we do have general expectations.  In general fair use can be determined by using a segment of the material or below a given amount of copies.  With a book it is okay to use a chapter but we would never use a book.  With a poem we can use it if it is less than 250 words on less than two pages. (source linked)

Resources and Government action.

Each institution has different fair use expectations.  University of Maryland University College’s expectation were discussed in the article and can be found here. Prior the passage of the T.E.A.C.H Act copyrights were only limited to in class expectations.  With the passage of the T.E.A.C.H Act copyright privileges now apply to online classroom and distance education classrooms.  

After giving a summary of the article found here, I wanted to share some thoughts.  Copyrights are very important and as we have discussed in class they are viewed differently by the individual.  Someone who has placed an extensive amount of time into an intellectual work will be more possessive of a copyright.  However, a beginning photographer may appreciate there work being shared and the “free exposure.”  Just as the article depicted fair usage is dependant upon the individual interpreting the situation.  

Meet the Heifer

My name is Jessica Wilkinson.  I am an Agriculture Education graduate student in the Agriculture Education licensure program.  I was born and raised in Smithdale, MS.  After graduating Mississippi State University with a Bachelor's of Science in Agribusiness and Economics, I moved to east Tennessee to enter the real world.  I work full time for the University of Tennessee Extension Service in Roane County, TN as an Adult Agriculture Extension Agent.  So, with working full time and going to graduate school full time, it makes life a little busy.  In my little free time, I make time for those that I care about the most; my family, friends, and dogs.

Throughout this course I hope to expand my knowledge of incorporating technology into my classroom.  Currently I work with adults, so I hope to learn ways not to only incorporate information into my future classroom, but also my current "classroom."  As an extension agent my classroom changes daily, it could be my office, a structured classroom, a front yard, a back porch, or even a pasture.  My job of teaching is different and learning ways to bring technology to different learning methods will prove beneficial.

Having a large family makes for big fun!

The adorable Trixie and Polly

Friends and Goats make life better!

Boyfriend, Chris and Myself