Vicki Davis provides noteworthy enthusiasm for using wikis in the classroom. After investigating three wikis, including Vicki’s, several observations came to mind. Not all wikis are created equal.
In 1001 Flat World Tales, three schools from very different locations (South Korea, Hawaii, and Colorado) collaborated to write a creative story about aliens threatening to annihilate Earth. The aliens tell the humans that if they can write an entertaining story, their lives will be spared.
The vast web allows people from across the world to readily communicate at one click. The first thought that comes to my mind is how these Web 2.0 tools change the nature of relationships. This particular wiki allows individuals to listen to podcasts of students reading their work. This interactive mode creates bonds between students across borders, and they not only learn how to improve their writing, but also learn about various cultures.
This project could be easily utilized in my own classroom. It is a very unique way of approaching various texts that may be challenging for students to sink their teeth into (e.g. The Odyssey, Beowulf, The Tempest, Tartuffe, Notes from Underground, etc.). Students can write creatively, review the current literature, and create something new. This helps break the chains of teacher oriented instruction. This wiki provides a creative introduction, tasks, rubrics, and tips for writing a good story. Students and the teachers are the judges of the stories.
