TP #13

Thoughtful Problem #13
Your superintendent has learned that you wrote a Wikibook, and he asks you for your reactions to the Wikibook process and how you think writing Wikibooks (or something like it) might have a place in school. He is so intrigued by your response that he asks you to summarize your ideas on one-page and submit it to him.

Write a one-page document (three to five paragraphs) that he can use to share your ideas with his cabinet and school board. In it relate your experience (positive and/or negative) in writing a Wikibook. Explain where such a creative (constructivist) activity might fit in a school. You may also explain where it might not be a good fit. Explain the problems you might expect the project to encounter, and how the problems could be minimized. Wikibooks are only for non-fiction textbooks. Don't let that restriction limit your response because other wiki sites could be used for fiction or non-textbooks.

Response

Writing a Wikibook was one of the most unique projects I have worked on. I thought the idea was good and seemed to be a great group project. I do think it has some of the same drawbacks that standard group projects have, at least from my perspective as a student. Many group projects become split into separate tasks rather than true interaction. This project wasn't much different in that respect. In most groups, this is what occurred. Each group broke out their sections and for the most part,they didn't mix. I prefer group projects where the end result is a collaboration of all group members for all sections. That being said, I still think the project was a terrific experience and was well worth the effort.

I can certainly see the value of this type of project in the classroom. Many classes would benefit tremendously with this project. I can especially see a use for this in our Classroom for the Future grant classrooms. Since these classrooms have a laptop for every student, it would be easy for students to research and interact with each other. I would definitely recommend a pilot project be conducted to further evaluate this type of project.

As for problems, I see a few possibilities that may arise. First and foremost, I see the possibility of plagiarism with students cutting and pasting what they may have found. I also think that the content must lend itself to a wikibook. Math might not be a good fit but computer science or photography may be great. I think professional development will also need to be addressed. Teachers will need to be instructed on formating and the basic techno part of the project.

Ultimately, I think wikibooks definately will have a place in the coming future in the educational arena.