Chapter 4 Wikis/Easy Collaboration for All

Collaboration: The key word in this chapter.  If you are a veteran teacher you can remember a time (not so long ago) when many professional development days were spent centered around the concept of collaborative learning.  It was and still is thought that students learn best when working collaboratively, retain information better when studying together, and produce higher quality work when working as a team negotiating who would contribute what to the project.  Who would have thought that a Wiki could be created where students can do just that< collaborate and learn the life skill of negotiation while at the same time feel a sense of ownership and pride in their work : "Using wikis, students are not only learning how to publish content; they are also learning how to develop and use all sorts of collaborative skills, negotiating with others to agree on correctness, meaning, relevance, and more.  In essence, students begin to teach each other." pg. 61
Easy For All: The author's enthusiasm and excitment for using these webtools in the classroom was very evident in this chapter, and he showcased many examples of exciting ways teachers are using Wikis in their practice. Truly amazing things!  However, for some of "us" the easy does not come easy.  For me personally to explore, create, and make sure students are effectively and appropriately using these tools is very time consuming especially since I am a new kid on the block (or on the internet!), but I also appreciate that for younger teachers who already have a good handle on technology these tools can open up a whole new approach to teaching and learning for students, and I know their students will be collaborating with others in a new world classroom!