Wiki in the Classroom

I found the article on Wikis in the classroom to be a great article. Judging from the responses that I received that many of fellow classmates seemed willing to try to integrate Wikis in their classroom setting. This is a great first small and simple step start to integrating technology in the classroom.
The following is a summary to the article entitled:

A Wiki for Classroom Writing.

Writing for many students can be a means of communication that is personal, thoughtful and insightful process, which allows students to explore who they are as individual and as a person.
The challenge that teachers face is takes this form of interpersonal communication and turn into collaborative pursuit that allows students to express their ideas, opinions and points of view in medium that offers endless possibilities to mature as a writer and a content producer. Authors Brian Morgan and Richard Smith provide a general overview of what is a wiki and explains the difference between a wiki and blog.
The authors provides teachers with easy instructional tips on how incorporating a wiki into the writing process. In addition, the authors offer suggestions on the role of teacher as the facilitator, co-producer or conductor of the wiki. The key points are that wikis offer student writer many opportunities to engage in creating content and to collaborate with their fellow classmate and teachers to produce content that is meaningful and technology rich.
Reference:
Morgan, B and Smith,R.D.(2008). A Wiki for classroom writing. Reading Teacher, 62(1),80-82 doi:10.159B/RT.62.1.10

Reflection

I have included a link techteaching.net/teachers.html to an technology cartoon relating to integration. Scroll to the bottom of the page to view the cartoon. It sums up how important teacher's attitude towards technology integration and their skill level are the most important factors that determines the success or failure of technology integration. These factors are sometimes overlook or ignored when discussing technology integration. These two factors are critical for successful technology integration. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to view the cartoon.

Introduction and Technology Integration Definition

I currently serve in the position as a Teacher-Librarian(Media Specialist) in an elementary school. This is my fourth year as the Teacher-Librarian and I am a former classroom teacher. I enjoy being a Teacher-Librarian because I get work with the entire student population of 866 students. Besides my role as Teacher-Librarian, I also serve as the unofficial technology teacher. A role that I truly enjoy a lot because it allows me to introduce students to technology.

My definition of technology integration is using technology to provide students with opportunity to develop information literacy skills, critical thinking skills, and problem-solving skills that will allow them to develop knowledge that is informal and formal to meet the challenges of completing in a global economy.

Purpose of Tech Integration Blog

The purpose of this blog is to serve as my personal journal describing my experiences collaborating with students and teachers on how to integrate course materials and software into my local elementary school district curriculum. I will also address how technology integration can be used to assist teachers with meeting the Georgia Performance Standards.

I will provide the readers with my personal insights and reflections as they relates to the challenges and rewards of integrating technology in a elementary school setting. These reflections will focus on how educational technology can be use as a support tool for teaching and learning.

I hope to develop a better understanding of how technology integration is seen and how its impact is felt beyond the walls of school to allowing students to make real-life connections to their learning. I hope that by gaining this new understanding of how technology can be used to assist teachers with meeting the diverse learning styles and needs of students. I can better assist teachers with developing authentic learning activities and assessments that benefits all students. This is the goal of my blog.