Name: Rachael Younger

Wiki Address:  http://csuf-int-grammar.pbwiki.com

What grade do you teach? adult ESL, all levels

Please upload a screenshot of your PBwiki:

 

What was your first experience setting up a wiki for your classroom, what did you learn?

 

I set up a page for a different class, an adult multi-level ESL class, for our computer lab. It has the computer lessons posted so students can work at their own pace and don't have to wait for me to give them the next lesson. I figured that students would like that freedom, however, I found out that pbwiki is blocked at a blog at that school (the site is a K-2 elementary school).

 

What lessons worked well with the wiki, which didn't?

 

So far, theoretically, computer lessons should work well with a wiki. This class, where the screen shot is from, is a grammar class. I think a wiki would work well with teaching grammar. It has worked wonderfully for keeping the students up to date on assignments and such.

 

Did you have a difficult time introducing PBwiki in your school?  If so, how did you convince your principal?

 

Yes. Apparently, the sites blocked come from the wider county board of education, so I don't envision being able to change that. Plus, I teach at the school, but I work for a local community college; I"m 'loaned' you could say.

 

It works great in my college classrooms, though.

 

How did your students adapt to using a wiki in the classroom?

 

I haven't used it directly in the classroom yet, partly because its one computer in the classroom with 10 - 30 students. Or the students just can't get to the site because its blocked.

 

However, my grammar class seemed to really like the idea of the wiki with assignments and the calendar. I haven't seen them staying up to date, though. I don't think they think to check it. I need to remind them again and show them again in class.

 

What should first time wiki users be aware of?

 

If you aren't used to it, its easy to forget about the wiki and not update it. Also, based on my teaching to others, there is a fairly steep learning curve learning to use a wiki, especially for adult learners. Perhaps for some, its easier, I found it easy, but the vast majority of folks I've taught (friends, students, fellow teachers) its takes a while.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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