ALT

Welcome ALT
toc I thought that I should at least make a page available for ongoing dialogue. Below is the [|slideshare] presentation embedded below, also a link to [|Common Craft] and the [|Wikis in Plain English] video. Thank you. Perhaps you might have some good ideas on how to employ **Wiki Teaching** ideas?



Title: ‘The Power of Wikis’

Presenter: Kristian Still Academy of Sport Manager Taunton’s College, Southampton

Presentation
media type="custom" key="234831" Ps - Note: the slides are rather wonky; once uploaded to slideshare, one font is not available.

=1About our organisation(s)= Taunton’s College is a relatively small 16-19 college in Southampton, Hampshire ([|www.tauntons.ac.uk]). We have a strong PE, Sports and Public Services Department and a healthy enrichment programme.

2 Overview of what we have achieved
‘The Power of Wikis’ presentation outlines how a wiki can be used in education, but also shares the experience of a novice digital teacher working with and along side semi-digital learners. We engaged in the use of wikis as a collaborative teaching project and so far we, the BTEC National in Sport tutors and learners, have made slow but **purposeful** progress. This is not a ‘Taunton’s College’ programme but rather a course initiative which has gained some attention from staff in other departments.

3.1 Approach
The approach – **trial and error, trial and more error. Read and learn, share and learn, apologise and learn.** Perhaps not traditional learning pedagogies, but also shared planning, collaboration and support. As noted, this is not an organisational programme yet the use of wikis is slowly dispersing through college. Pebble in the pond theory, only it’s the learners throwing the stones rather than the management.

The use of the course wiki is heavily focused on **pedagogy** with only a small focus given to the tool itself. The wiki has spread to encompass many different teaching and learning outcomes, as a communication tool and to publish and showcasing student work. As wikis represent low level webware technology, the students have created much of the content and ideas.

One of our most significant achievement has been the use the wiki to **challenge and inspire** students, through online charitable projects, student testimonies and former student blogs. Education is an added bonus.

3.2 Scale
We are very young project, barely 9 months old. We work primarily with students, but also staff, parents and a cross Atlantic partner (Kent State University). We have three year groups; Two Year 2 groups, introduced to the tool half way through their course and one Year 1 course, introduced to the wiki as part of their induction. Both groups use the wiki proactively, however Year 1 students are far more involved, engaged and accepting. Approximately, 60 students, plus a large number of “lurkers.”

3.3.1 …. on learners, teachers, partners, staff, etc
The staff use the wiki to communicate and support student learning. Its been a great support in posting deadlines and confirming the students responsibilities. We also use the wiki to inspire learners and challenge their notion of education and citizenship. The students use the wiki for a wide range of educational reasons, wiki mail, collaboration, discussions, publishing.

‘I believe wikispace is a refreshing new way of learning. I have never learnt like this before, and have found that I am reading through a lot of peoples comments. It also allows people to voice their own opinions, which they may not do in an ordinary class. Posted Feb 27, 2007 11:00 am – http://btecnationalsinsport.wikispaces.com/message/view/home/277101
 * Chris writes:**

3.3.2 …. on the organisations involved
Taunton’s College has little or no involvement. A wiki is in fact a portable, personal teaching resource. I can take it with me whenever, or wherever I go, but equally leave it with the students and staff and take a copy.

3.4 Costs and benefits
FREE. Effort, as much as you can spare. You can develop the pages as much as you like. Benefits. There are many benefits, the FIVE key benefits are highlighted in the presentation, however there are also numerous other benefits and many more as you can creatively conceive using the inline resources.

4.1 …. for the organisation(s) involved
Accelerated learning for students, improved grades, showcasing learning, pride in publication, reflection, portfolios, projects, galleries, IMing, please add you own ideas here __

4.2 …. for others
Many writers offer tips for using wikis. I am sure you can source these for yourselves, if not there are links on the wiki in the wiki staff room. Most importantly, don’t be afraid to try, wikis have a ‘history’ function, which means you can always go back and you can never do any real lasting damage. Wikis emphasise community and collaboration, work with other stakeholders, colleagues, students, parents to fully get the benefit of the tool. Finally, like any tool. It is not the tool but the pedagogy behind it.

5 Contact details
Join anyone of a range of wiki providers. I work with Wikispaces, others prefer PBWiki or Wetpaint. There is an interesting discussion on the [|NING] network. Each wiki has a very helpful community of wiki uses, educational wiki uses and support staff. It really is a team effort. Join our wiki, we have 40 of so helpful student advisors. http://btecnationalsinsport.wikispaces.com