Abstract
Educators may realize the impact technology has on students, but may be ill equipped to integrate high-tech devices into the classroom in an affordable way. Educators can capitalize on students’ experience with technology by incorporating wikis, a collaborative webpage, into classroom instruction. Studies indicate that wiki technology can greatly enhance student collaboration and build content-area literacy skills. There are several research-based applications for implementing wiki technology into content-area classrooms. However, educators must consider the effect of wikis on curricula before integrating wikis into the classroom.
Highlights
The use of technology is this generation’s defining characteristic
There are many innovative technologies, such as electronic white boards (SMART boards), document cameras, and classroom response systems, which educators can integrate into curricula that capitalize on students’ familiarity with technology and promote collaboration and literacy in the classroom
Content area teachers—educators who teach math, science, English, and social studies—understand that their subjects require a specific kind of literacy skill in order for students to understand the main concepts of that subject
Summary
The use of technology is this generation’s defining characteristic. Students are submersed in multifaceted technologies on a daily basis, ranging from the Internet, Instant Messenger, and Facebook to i-pads, i-pods, and i-phones. Integrating wiki technology into content area classrooms enables students to engage in critical thinking, productive learning, and retention of content area material (Smith, Rook, & Smith, 2007) while building social relationships with their peers. Collaborative classroom literacy can be defined as activities that permit students to work with their peers while engaging in higher order thinking, critical reading, and reflective writing (Boling, Castek, Zawilinski, Barton, & Nierlich, 2008; Jewitt, 2005; Marks, 2010; Leu, 2000; Smith, Rooks, & Smith, 2007). This article reviews how educators can integrate wikis into their classroom as an affordable technology It outlines the structure of wikis, examines ways wikis promote a safe collaborative classroom atmosphere, and considers ways wikis support content area literacy. This article synthesizes curricular considerations for educators to take into account before integrating wikis into their classroom
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
