Using Wikis in the ESL Classroom Presented at MITESOL 2012 Saturday, October 13, 2012 Kristin Jatkowski Homuth

MA TESOL Candidate, Eastern Michigan University ESL Instructor, Michigan Language Center kjatkows@emich.edu Allison Piippo ESL Lecturer Eastern Michigan University apiippo@emich.edu

Our presentation Wiki: http://mitesolmadonna2012.wikispaces.com/ What is a Wiki? Web 2.0 software that allows collaboration Can be edited by multiple people Does not require knowledge of HTML or other programming language Is free or low-cost Why Use Wikis? TESOL Technology Standards Framework Scaffolding Documentation Writing for an audience Hypermedia documents Immediate, specific feedback Can be used with all ages How to Create a Wiki Google Sites Using Wikispaces Other resources: o PBWiki o University/School web sites and applications o Webs (for creating class websites only) o Weebly (for creating class websites only) Ideas for Wikis Have students write stories using picture stories or story starters. Have students use a wiki page as a common space to collect information for group work. Use a wiki for peer editing! Have students type their rough drafts on the wiki, then assign a peer editor to make suggestions. Have students keep a wiki page as a writing portfolio. Have students collect songs that illustrate relevant grammar points and post the titles (maybe even YouTube videos) on the wiki. Be Creative! Recommendations Guide students through the first session with hands-on experience in a computer lab Limit editing privileges, depending on the project Organize pages thematically Teachers should intervene and give clear goals to prevent social loafing and free-riding (Arnold, Ducate, & Kost 2012)

Computers will not replace teachers. However, teachers who use computers will replace teachers who dont. Ray Clifford, Defense Language Institute References Arnold, N., Ducate, L. and Kost, C. (2012). Collaboration or cooperation? Analyzing group dynamics and revision processes in wikis. CALICO Journal. 29 (3). pp. 431-448. Barley, M. and Coniam, D. (2008). Using wikis to enhance and develop writing skills among secondary school students in Hong Kong. System. 36 (3), pp.437-455 Bradley, L., Berner, L., and Hans, R. (2010). Rationalities of collaboration for language learning in a wiki. ReCALL. 22. pp. 247-265. Carney-Strahler, B. (2011). Wikis: Promoting Collaborative Literacy through Affordable Technology in Content-Area Classrooms. Creative Education, 2, 76-82. Clifford, R. (1987). The Status of Computer-Assisted Language Learning. CALICO Journal. 4 (4). 916. Herrell, A. and Jordan, M. (2011). 50 Strategies for Teaching English Language Learners. 4th ed. Pearson. Nakamaru, S., (2011). Making (and Not Making) Connections with Web 2.0 Technology in the ESL Composition Classroom. College. 38 (4), pp.377-390. TESOL Technology Team (2008). TESOL Technology Standards Framework. Alexandria, VA: Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, Inc. Vasquez, C. and Wang, S. (2012). Web 2.0 and second language learning: what does the research tell us?. CALICO Journal. 28 (3) p412-430.