Wikis are quite an intriguing concept. Accumuating a mass of knowledge through a number of contributors is ingenius. Each person brings factual and experiential knowledge that one person alone could not bring. The only downfall is accuracy of knowledge. Who is checking the content? Should our students be using wikis in the classroom? Many of my third graders have discovered Wikipedia, or as one of my students called it, Weyekipedia:) They are using it as a primary source of knowledge. This provided an excellent discussion point for me to explain the power of wikis, but also the importance of using multiple sources while researching. When I explained to my students what wikis are, they had no idea. They believed this source as credible as any other. Our students are growing and learning. Part of this process is developing a critical eye while using the internet. They need to be taught the in's and out's of the process.
Just as we are creating Itsopedia in class, a similar wiki could be used as a tool to compile all ideas and thoughts over topics taught in your classroom. Each student brings a different level of base knowledge while learning new curriculum in school. Wikis provide an opportunity to build on and acquire knowledge from one another.
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