Wikis--Baker

I didn’t have any idea what a wiki was until we began using our class wiki in MEDT 6467. I didn’t even know what Wikipedia was—I mean I used it, but I didn’t realize you could add to and edit its contents. Now that I’ve read and learned a little about wikis, several usages for this cool technology come to mind. I really like the idea of using wikis as a way of collaborating with others. This is a beneficial tool for individuals to use to easily share ideas in a format that is far more organized than that of an e-mail or a blog. A wiki would be a good way for a media committee to collaborate. Once committee members meet within their departments and gain necessary feedback, they can post relevant information and share it with one another. The wiki could also be used to feature the meeting agendas and minutes. This would make meetings run more quickly and smoothly. I think wikis would also likely be very useful for teams of teachers who collaborate on lessons and/or projects. The media specialist could teach teachers how to use wikis in this manner, and I believe they would respond positively, if time were set aside to give them the opportunity to get familiar with the technology.

I also love the idea of using a wiki to organize research materials. This would be a great tool to teach students how to engage in the research process in an orderly fashion. Students from elementary to high school grades could benefit from such a useful organization tool. This would be a lesson they could carry with them and use in their future studies. Students could keep all of their weblinks, documents, and quotes in their wiki and then go to the relevant page(s) when the specific material was needed. This concept was highlighted in “Wiki in a K-12 Classroom.”

To address the concern of so called “troublemakers” adding inappropriate material to wikis, I think it would be in the best interest of all parties if authorization were required so only specific individuals would have the privilege of adding posts. I also worry about the need to closely monitor what is posted, especially when students have the ability to add posts. Another major drawback of this technology (which is also a major positive) that I see is that because anyone can add to and edit wikis, it will be difficult to know for certain whether information/material posted is accurate. That will require a whole other lesson , in and of itself, for students and teachers.

Wiki's

Prior to this course, I was not familiar with Wiki's. On my first attempt at using a Wiki I was more than a little bit overwhelmed. I did actually delete everything and spent a frantic evening trying to figure out what I did and how to fix it. I am amazed at the technology that is available to us today. Wiki's are definitly valuable to the media specialist, the teacher, and students. They provide a forum for people all over the world to communicate and share ideas. I was very impressed by the examples of high schools using Wiki's. As with all new things, it is very daunting to take on new ideas and incorporate them into our already over loaded days. I would hesitate beginning to encourage others to use Wiki's until I had become semi-comfortable with using them myself. I still have many questions about Wiki's and their use in the school system. How would one go about managing the amount of information that was being posted? How would one monitor the content? It seems that it would be an enourmous undertaking, especially for a beginning media specialist.

Cates - Wiki's

I think that, like many technology tools, the use of a wiki to enhance a media center web page can be good, if you are able to get help from, and collaboration with, teachers and students on the page. Quite frankly, I am so busy working with teachers on technology issues, and supporting the administration in their goals for the school, that taking the time to put it all on the web page seems almost impossible. I know, in my head, that it would probably help me a great deal, but I look at my day and there isn't a free minute anywhere. Plus, having to monitor a wiki, making sure that the content is appropriate for the school site, could be time consuming itself. Making sure that the content is relevant, and up-to-date, is crucial in attracting visitors and maintaining high standards.

Having said all of that, I think it is important to use all of the tools available to you as a media specialist. A web page can be a huge help in promoting new materials, new programs, and fund raising opportunities. Providing listings of AR tests allows parents to see if their children are choosing books at the public library or bookstore that will advance their reading goals at school. Providing policies online helps both parents and students ensure that they are following the rules of the media center. Making a links page to information that will help teachers and students can save you time. Overall, I think that the benefits far outweigh the time and trouble involved in setting up and maintaining a web page.

Wikis - Hawkins

Like a lot of new technology, Wikis seem scary at first. People may think, what if I log on and edit something that totally messes up or erases everyone else's hard work? What if nobody agrees or respects the information I'm posting? The benefit of most Wikis is that they have the flexibility to be changed, edited, and fixed. People can share lots of information while at the same time collaborating quickly and easily. After looking over several different media centers' Wikis, I was totally impressed! The way students and teachers can share information relative to their current needs is so helpful. I especially enjoyed looking over Decatur High School's Wiki and noticing how the media center set up specific sections listing tips and links to educational pathfinders, college information, teacher pages/projects, and school events. It seems many high schools are finding ways to share their resources with students and teachers through this medium. I think elementary and middle schools could also benefit from using Wikis in many of the same ways. An important thing to remember is that Wikis should be updated and edited frequently so the information they is evolving and changing to meet the needs of its readers.

The biggest drawback to Wikis is that they can be changed so easily. As any graduate student can tell you, DON'T USE Wikipedia as a research source! The ability for anyone to edit pages leaves a large door open for errors and false information to be posted. For schools, it's best if the media specialist and a select few teachers/administrators have the ability to edit the Wiki. This will help keep "trouble makers" from posting irksome information or editing the wrong thing.

Cates- Podcasting

I suppose if the teacher came to me asking for guidance I would offer as much as I possibly could, pointing them towards the free podcasting materials that are available on the web. I would be honest with them in being a neophyte when it comes to podcasting, and try to take the time to learn together with them on the material, in and around the other duties that I currently have.

Having sounded so down, I can certainly see the powerful and positive influence podcasting could have in the media center and school. Teachers could make available information to enhance lessons, or even record entire lessons for students that need to hear the information again. If the school was willing to invest in good wireless mics for the classrooms, this could be done easily for each and every lecture. The LMS could also provide information to students on new books available for checkout, holds that are available for pickup, and upcoming events in the library. Library 2.0 provides a good point however in regards to Podfading...the actual mechanics of podcasting are easy and inexpensive, but the most valuable piece of all, time, is short and precious. If a media center is unsure of their ability to continue to provide the service, then they may wish to not tackle podcasting until such time as they can devote the time necessary to make it work.

Podcasting- Hiley

Podcasting is brand new for me. After making my pod cast, I didn't really feel that I would use it in the classroom. But after reading the articles and listening to some great podcasts done by elementary students I feel differently. I listened to the most adorable podcast by first grade students on ants. I think if first graders can do that, imagine what I could do with fourth graders. I have a new feeling towards podcasting and it's usefulness in the elementary school. Do I have time to figure it out alone? Probably not, but with the help of the media specialist and the Technology teacher it could be a really great collaborative project that could be done school wide.

If I were the media specialist and a teacher approached me about setting up a podcast, I would tell him that I am not an expert at podcasting but that I would be willing to collaborate with him and anyone else in the building that would be interested in getting a podcast started. There could be many others that would want to get involved too, and that way the work load could be shared amongst many. When many people collaborate it seems to make the job less daunting. I would definitely get the administration involved and make sure that it is something that they would back and support. Before you know it you could have something as wonderful as what is happening on Radio WilloWeb.

I can see many possibilites now for podcasting and how it can be used at all grade levels, not just at upper grades. I think if you informed the staff in a meeting about what it is, and had them listen to samples from Radio WilloWeb, you might get a whole group of people who would be interested in starting something like that right in our own school. I could see it being a great after school activity too. So many possiblities.

Podcasting

This is all a new experience for me. I must admit, I had to go back and watch the blogging tutorial to find out how to post...it seems I wasn't logged in.

Between blogging and podcasting, I am learning something new with every passing minute. With that said, if a teacher came to me and asked for assistance in creating a Podcast, I would do everything possible to assist him or her. I would start by informing the teacher that I was not proficient at creating and using podcasts. I would also inform the teacher that together, we would work at creating a podcast to meet their needs and that of the class. As a teacher, I believe that the best way to learn is by doing. In this spirit, I feel that by working with others and independently I will become more proficient at using this "new" technology. While it may be challenging and daunting, it is also an adventure.


I was amazed at the possibilities for podcasting in the classroom. Initially, I would have seen little to no use for a podcast in the younger grades and would have deemed this technology for use only in the upper grades. After reading how Krisin Fontichiaro has used the podcast I can visualize it being used with various age students. Students are fascinated by seeing and hearing themselves. This experience offers teachers a way to engage students in learning on different levels. I also appreciated the various suggestions on how podcasts could be used for differentiation.

Podcasting-Hawkins

I sure am taking a huge leap into the pool of technology this week by participating in my first real blog, and by exploring and learning all about podcasts! Topics in which I have little experience! After looking over the suggested readings I was amazed to learn all the versatile ways in which podcasts can, and are, being used in schools. As Kristin Fontichiaro noted in her article, podcasting can help improve reading fluency, writing skills, encourage higher-order thinking, and technology for students in fun ways! I feel like I'm just scratching the surface of understanding podcasting and their possibilities.

If a teacher approached me about starting a podcast for his class, I would be honest and tell him as much as I know on the topic. Although I am not an expert, I would look at this opportunity as a chance for him and me to learn together. To begin, I would encourage him to explore the websites and podcasts of successfully established podcasting classes and schools. We could discuss the goals he had for his class's podcast and review a list of equipment needed to begin the project. Podcasting could be used to record book reviews/recommendations by students or interviews with teachers and administrators about upcoming school events and projects for the daily school news. Podcasts could be used by older students to help assist younger students with instructions and guidance about school equipment and procedures. They can also be used by students for presenting completed projects in classroom settings.

I think there would be a lot of trial and error before the podcasting was successfully established, but as a media specialists it is important to collaborate with teachers, promote use of the media center’s equipment, and support the teachers’ classroom teaching. Perhaps by working with this teacher, others may be encouraged to use the media center and media specialist’s services, both for themselves and their students.

Podcasting

Hi everyone!

I have to tell you all that I learned so much from last week's readings and student podcasts. I really knew very little about the possibilities of podcasting and found myself taking notes and brainstorming the myriad ways such technology could be used in today's classrooms. I was greatly impressed by Willowdale Elementary's Radio Willoweb and especially loved the 5th graders' podcast on the Revolutionary War. This concept could so easily be adapted for high school students in American literature and history courses. What an amazing way to create a real world audience for students! I can only hope, hearing their own voices on the web would inspire students to take real ownership of their work.

Now to this week's prompt . . . Anytime I am asked by a teacher to assist him/her in a project of which I am not familiar, I will not be afraid to admit that I am not an expert in that particular field. I will, though, do my best to become knowledgeable about the given subject. In this case I would research podcasting and share what I learned with the teacher needing help. He/she might start a school trend and create a really unique learning experience for all of the teachers and students. I believe the role of the media specialist is that of facilitator of information and assistant to those who need help and guidance. We must make ourselves accessible to teachers and students. As an LMS in the 21st century, one must be open to learning about new technologies and then in helping others learn about them as well.

Erin

First Blog!

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