Final Essay 1

EME2040 Final Essay

Ariana Pipitone
FSW Summer 2017
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Abstract
Through the summer semester of 2017, the teaching and technology (EME2040) course has

established resources and materials that can be carried throughout an educational career. The

duration of this course has permitted an expansion of knowledge in creating lessons and

providing accommodations in education using modern technology. EME2040 has elaborated on

these variations of technology and presented assignments for future educators to use in

preparation for their own classrooms. The first project to be completed for this course was the

instructional group wiki. Wiki classrooms is a resource used by educators to create interactive

assignments to be completed by students. The instructional wikis were completed and critiqued

in virtual groups chosen by the students.

Keywords: Wiki, critique, virtual groups

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Contribution to group Wiki

The instructional wiki was the first assignment where we were asked to work in groups. Wiki

pages was a resource that was newly introduced. My unfamiliarity with Wiki presented

challenges when beginning this assignment, however, the modules section of our online class

allowed me to become better familiarized by breaking the instructions down into parts. Once I

became more versed with using Wiki, I could contribute appropriately. I went into the excel

spreadsheet where we were asked to assign ourselves a strategy to present within the group. Each

member of the group picked a strategy and created a blank page that was linked with the rest of

the group. After completing this, we began to individually work on our assigned sections. I

followed the steps of the wiki to complete my portion of the group assignment.

Critique of the Wiki Project

This assignment was not difficult to complete once I understood what was being asked. Problems

arose when first navigating through the wiki site to respond to classmates and make contributions

by adding strategies. The struggles were resolved through communication with the professor as

well as a member of the group and the final revision of the assignment was then submitted. I

enjoy presenting projects that are well-completed, however, I do not feel that was the case with

this assignment. Not being familiar with wiki from the beginning had set me back with the

timing and completion of this project. As a result, my final submission could use improvement.

My section of the instructional wiki could have provided more examples and discussion on the

differences between homework and practice. My submission for the project contained broad

information. If I were to re-do this assignment, I would elaborate on the topics of homework and
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practice by including similarities and differences, and preferences between the two. More

description is needed on both topics. Others in the group presented pages with visuals, links to

videos, and provided more extensive information about their topics.

Positives and Negatives of working in virtual groups

Group projects are both beneficial and disadvantageous in virtual classrooms. The obstacles that

present themselves when working in groups can be displayed as learning opportunities. From an

educators perspective, obstacles present opportunities to learn and are advantages. The

undesirable difficulties that stem from virtual group work are: lack of face to face interaction,

communication, and scheduling. With virtual group work, face to face interaction is non-existent

in most cases. The lack of physical interaction leads to miscommunication. Communicating with

others has become easier with the modern technology available such as email, cellphones, and

social media. Often, there is miscommunication through technological interaction. You never

know exactly what someone means unless they are explaining it step by step or in person.

Sometimes in groups, no communication is occurring at all. A member of the group can make

efforts to reach out to other participants, but they may not obtain a response in return. You

should be able to rely on other members of your group to complete group projects and receive

constructive feedback. Using virtual groups can be stressful when trying to communicate. For the

instructional wiki, I liked that we would not be receiving group grades rather we received grades

based on individual contribution. These obstacles will also be beneficial to building skill-sets

such as the ability to become resourceful and solve problems. There are solutions to all of the

mentioned problems with group work. Learning time management skills is a benefit to group

work. Time management is needed to submit content to the group page in a timely manner.

Proper time management would allow for students to have their work peer-reviewed and
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critiqued before the final submission. Students also advance their problem-solving skill sets.

Students become independent in finding solutions to any obstacles that arise in group work.

Finding solutions may require social interaction and collaboration with other group members

which is also a benefit to group work.

Utilizing a wiki in K-12 Learning

Students and educators can collaboratively share information, discuss content, and give

constructive feedback on assignments using Wiki. A wiki website is first created with its desired

features. After the creation of the site, students are invited to join and interact with other

members on the page. Everyone is encouraged to form groups and collaborate on assignments.

This website allows the students to freely operate tools within the site while the professor

oversees the content being posted. The educator overseeing the site can add links and sources for

students to use for assignments. Wikis offer a student-centered approach to learning where the

student is seeking resources for information while the teacher is playing the role of coach. The

teacher is giving the students opportunities to express their ideas and creativity with minimal

limitations. Wiki would be great in K-12 classrooms as an organizational tool that provides

opportunities for students to work as a team and express creativity in their assignments. Students

can take initiative and show leadership skills through group collaboration.
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Resources

What are the Benefits of Integrating Wikis in the Classroom? (n.d.). In Professional Learning

Board. Retrieved July 29, 2017, from https://k12teacherstaffdevelopment.com/tlb/what-

are-the-benefits-of-integrating-wikis-in-the-classroom/

Design & Teach a Course (n.d.). In Teaching Excellence and Educational Innovation. Retrieved

July 29, 2017, from

https://www.cmu.edu/teaching/designteach/design/instructionalstrategies/groupprojects/b

enefits.html

Wikis (n.d.). In Vanderbilt University Center For Teaching. Retrieved July 29, 2017, from

https://cft.vanderbilt.edu/guides-sub-pages/wikis/