The final project in my 12th grade world literature class is an original composition (and reflection on the composition) that incorporates cultural and literary elements we have studied throughout the semester. In preparation, students will choose a culture and type of literature to study with a small group for ten weeks. The course wiki will serve as a virtual notebook for each small group to record the ideas shared in their discussions. It will also serve as a scaffolding device in that each group can get ideas from what other groups are posting. Right now it's pretty bare bones. This week the students will brainstorm ideas for the focus of small groups. Once the topics are chosen, each small group will create pages that will link to the course FrontPage so that each group and their notes will be connected.
As far as challenges, this one is so boring it's almost a cliche: Many students don't have access to computers and the internet outside of scheduled time in the computer labs at school. It would be great if students could use the wiki outside of class as a place where they could record thoughts and ideas about their final project at any time. That would mean face-to-face communication in class could be complemented by ideas posted on the wiki at any time. But realistically, due to the lack of access, "wiki time" will have to occur during potential face-to-face time in class. At least the wiki will still serve as a convenient and paperless way to store notes and ideas and as a method of scaffolding. And students will be able to add another digital writing tool to their bag of tricks (to borrow another cliche...).
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Hi Kate, I agree it' a disadvantage that the students don't have access to the digital tools outside school. I think the wiki can be used after they have done the in person discussion, as a tool for recording the discussion ideas and for practicing writing.
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