As I was getting out of the water after surfing today, a colleague asked me, “What are you learning about this week in your Masters’ class?” I explained to him that I’ve been spending quite a bit of time on wikis and the possibilities of using them in my chemistry class. I think that incorporating wikis into my teaching techniques would allow for a whole new range of assignments that would challenge and engage my students.
James and Margaret West, authors of Using Wikis for Online Collaboration say, "Students who engage in online collaboration and wiki work during their education will be well prepared for the challenges of the virtual workplace."
Yes, it’s that time of year again…the week that makes my students quiver with anxiety. It’s time for their chemistry final exam. This week, I began my preparations for this most feared test as I always do: I handed students sample questions and a study guide and did my best to answer their questions during class. That’s the way I’m supposed to do it, right? The tried and true and age-tested process of test preparation. Well, when all was done and my last student handed in his exam, I had a flash of brilliance. OK, maybe it wasn’t brilliance, but it’ was at least thought-provoking. What if I found a way to make exam preparation more engaging and effective for my students? Ok, here goes…Students can come up with their own sample questions, study guide and answers. Each class could have its own wiki. I could give each student the assignment of creating one problem, three study guide questions and editing someone else's assignment. Whatever I don't cover in class could be covered on the wiki. The wiki could be comprehensive and extensive. The best part is that the wiki would be created by the students, thus engaging them personally in both the process of learning and the material itself.
What I am still working through is how I would to grade it. I am not sure if I even need to. Will wikis make my teaching life easier or more difficult? I think I will try it out on our next unit test. Stay tuned…
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