About+this+Site

Wikis are one of the most dynamic, flexible, and useful Web 2.0 tools out there for educators. With next to no instruction, teachers can empower their students to publish, collaborate, and interact in ways not available in years past. I have to admit, I love wikis. I know that makes me a geek - I'm comfortable with that. My own obsession with them is not enough, I want to spread the love. There are a number of different sites out there in wikiland that discuss the potential uses of wikis in the classroom, but few actually delve into the details. I tend to be more detailed oriented. Once I figure out the what and the why, I'm very interested in the how and being able to share that process. That is where we (//we// being the educational technologists who want others to join use in the Web 2.0 universe) start to lose people. I've taught a number of workshops on Web 2.0 and wikis. The participants leave excited about these new ideas. They want to use a blog or a wiki with their students. They might even have an idea in mind, but in the end, they don't have any sort of road map. Sure I say use Wikispaces or PBwiki to let your students collaborate or easily publish information - but what does that really mean or entail? I'm hoping this site will soon start answering these questions and providing some models / patterns that others can more easily integrate into their own classrooms.

I envision this as a place where project ideas, and more importantly, project examples can be shown with directions on how to recreate these ideas in any classroom with web access. As a content teacher (history) at a relatively traditional school, I can only do projects. My history classroom will not be wikicentric, it just isn't realistic. So this site will focus on short and long term projects. Something that begins and ends. Most teachers probably share this situation. I know there are several other "higher profile" sites out there who share wiki ideas, but I do think this approach is unique. I will be starting with the projects I have already implemented with my students.

Enough with my opening ramble. This site is work in progress that will evolve as time allows. If you would like help, send me an e-mail (danmcdowell at gmail dot com). The spirit of collaboration obviously goes hand-in-hand with wikis.

You can visit my homepage [|here].