Journal 9: “Let the Kids Do the Work” (Nets 5)

Lawlor, J. (2010). Let the kids do the work. Learning and leading with technology, 37(6), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Publications/LL/LLIssues/Volume3720092010/MarchAprilNo6/Let_the_Kids_Do_the_Work.htm

Joseph Lawlor details some memorable experiences revolving around integrating a wiki into a language arts classroom. From the first assignment, read a poem, answer a question, respond to someone else’s answer, Lawlor noticed that students were interacting with eachother online much more than he expected. Once class of 25 students generated 472 responses. Other notable moments included the “community of writers” that Lawlor’s wiki empowered helping one student revise her essay three times in one night. The instant feedback and help from peers was much more effective than the delayed grading and comments from the teacher would have been in this case. Students also took the helm, changing the layout and look of the wiki and posting content when Lawlor forgot to.  Students would occasionally teach Lawlor, allowing the power dynamics of the classroom to temporarily shift and engaging the students in controlling their own learning. Furthermore, the wiki surprisingly involved students who did not participate much in the classroom. Perhaps because it is more difficult to be shy online, some students who were quiet in the classroom became prolific commenters on the wiki.

Question 1: Why might wikis be beneficial in an English classroom?

In addition to the peer feedback, community engagement and increased participation documented by Lawlor, wikis also allow teachers to track student work easily and allow parents a chance to peer into the classroom. Furthermore, weekends, evenings and breaks can be bridged by using wikis (or another form of discussion forum). Also, students seem to enjoy writing when it is less formal. Even formal assignments might seem less intimidating online. Every comment a student writes is a chance for them to practice writing skills, whether they reflect on that fact or not!

Question 2: Are there concerns to consider before introducing a wiki?

I think that there are some. To begin with, the students need to be old enough and mature enough to use the wiki. Also, your students need reliable Internet access and if they do not have it at home, assignments must be timed so that they will be able to use the library or computer lab before the due dates. There might be privacy concerns, and these should be addressed with the class before the first wiki assignment. At the same time as the privacy issues are addressed, the students should review issues of digital citizenship and cyber bullying in order to keep the discussions helpful and not hurtful.