Weekly Report and Reflection #8

Hello fellow bloggers!

Wikipedia. (CC) 2016.

Wikipedia is one of those websites that we all know and love when we are in need of quick information, even though it may not be the most reliable source at times. It’s a Wiki Wiki World simply defines a wiki as a website where anyone can edit and update information on millions of topics. Wikis are a hub of information and they tend to be one of the first search options when you type a topic into Google, demonstrating their popularity.

In the past I have created two different wiki pages for assignments, one focused on Geneva, Switzerland, and the other analyzed panic disorder with a transdisciplinary approach. As you can see, these are two VERY different topics; however the method of gathering information and formatting it into a wiki page is always constant. Both of these assignments were group projects and they really enforced collaboration and teamwork because when an issue would arise on the wiki, we worked together as a team to form a solution. It was important that we solved the issues together before moving onto the next step because if it is left unsolved it can form new issues to arise and ruin the format of the html text.

Although wiki’s are a great tool to use in order to practice collaborating, I would much rather utilize Google Docs for group work and collaboration projects. I find that it is much easier to edit, access, learn how to use, and communicate with Google Docs in comparison to wiki’s. Furthermore, in contrast to blogs, wiki’s tend to be more factual based and they do not allow open discussion to occur. Blogs are opinion based and the commenting section allows for communication and discussion on particular topics. Moreover, in WikiWalk-Through: The Basics they state that a large difference between blogs and wikis is the commenting factor on blogs as this is not possible on a wiki. In wiki formatting, an individual can completely replace someone else's facts and thoughts with their own information.

Wikipd. (CC) 2016.

Wikis are a very interesting tool because anybody can access them and edit the information. However, this poses limitations because anyone can post unreliable information to the wiki. Therefore, it is not recommended that wiki’s are completely trusted because of the editing factor. I do think that they are a beneficial tool to implement in the classroom when a teacher has to quickly research something to show their students, this also allows for quick feedback from students. In my volunteering classroom, the teacher frequently pulls up Wikipedia to show students a quick and interesting fact that they can reflect on a form discussion about. Additionally, formulating a wiki can be beneficial for a group because they learn how to communicate as it can be difficult times to create. Furthermore, in a real wiki it doesn’t necessarily foster communication as you are putting together the information on your own, however this can create room for conversation about a particular topic when somebody researches it.

This week in my Feedly reader I found a blog called Help Students Develop Vital Interviewing Skills in Your Classroom, which is beneficial for people that are currently applying for summer jobs or graduating and looking for a job. I think it is very important that students learn interviewing skills because it can really help them when they begin to apply for a job. During high school I had several classes that taught us interviewing skills and they really benefited me as I began my university career.

Have a wonderful week and happy blogging!

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