Global Awareness...a new FCPS Initiative (Some background, first.)
There is this big Global Awareness project for fifth graders in Fairfax County that started this year. It involves them selecting one of eight questions to answer, such as "What is the impact over time of geography on a culture’s involvement in global exchange of ideas, goods, and services?" Pretty deep thinking, right? In groups of 3-4 students, they will do research to answer this question. Then, they will display their answer using a technology tool, such as PowerPoint, Inspiration, PhotoStory, etc.
My Brilliant/Ambitious(?) Idea
So, what if I was to start a Wiki with my class where they could add content about the various ancient civilizations they've learned about this year for an additional research tool that all of fifth grade could use when they start their global awareness projects? (Their research for these projects will probably start in mid-March, so we have about a month.) I could do it a couple ways...either put them in groups where they take turns each week adding content about a specific civilization (Mesopotamia, Ancient China, Ancient Rome, etc., etc.) or put them in groups to add content about all the cultures for four different topics related to the four questions the teachers selected for them to choose from: Geography, Government, Leaders, Art. The groups could rotate each week to a different topic or civilization to give them a chance to add more information and/or edit or revise what another group already put in. They have interactive notebooks that they could use to gather the info. they add to this wiki. We could set this up with the free wikispaces site and make it password protected.
My Excitement about Wikis
I couldn't help but get excited about this idea while reading Richardson's book. I especially like how he noted, "the concept that everyone together is smarter than anyone else alone" (p.57). That is so true! I think that's what makes this Wiki tool so great--everyone must be a critical reader to get it right; true collaborative work! Richardson's book has opened my eyes to the positive aspects of this tool. In going to Wikipedia for various purposes since I first found out about it years ago, I have to admit that I was skeptical about the accuracy of the information (with the understanding that anyone can add to or edit it). However, the CEO of Apple has called the most famous Wiki (Wikipedia) "one of the most accurate encyclopedias in the world" (p.59), so it has great potential in adding to our wealth of knowledge. What a cool experiement that was conducted to see how fast thirteen errors would be changed on Wikipedia. Corrected in a matter of hours--truly amazing! More people really do want to get it right than those who want to corrupt this information outlet.
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Nicole, I think you have a very ambitious but very good idea about a wiki. I think that it would be helpful to the students to use during their project. What a great resource! Do you think it is something that is doable in a month since you need it to be ready for the start of the project in mid-March?
ReplyDeleteWhen the projects are done, you could post finished products on the wiki as well so the students could see their work displayed.
I would love to hear the results of the wiki if you take on the project. Excellent idea!
Wow! Once again Nicole, you truly look to give your students every experience you can. And this is an ambitious project but definitely one you could manage and balance; I'm sure you already have it planned out. I look forward to hearing more about it. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteIan, I agree. Well said. I wish I was a student in Nicole's class. The projects she is working on will be awesome to display onced completed. Might be an idea I'd like to adventure and try out myself in the future!
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