WordSift

      I have recently started exploring a new resource for my classroom that has both interested and inspired my lessons.  Specifically for reading this online resource has given me a new outlook and experience with how to activate prior knowledge before reading.  As I have learned in so many texts throughout my undergrad education program and in continuing education, activating the students' prior knowledge can have a profound affect on the learning.  For example, from How Learning Works, we learn that students enter into our classrooms with a wide range of prior knowledge on a variety of subjects. (2010)  If students enter our rooms with a range of experiences then how can we, as teachers planning lessons, know how to plan accordingly.  

       This new resource is one I discovered through an exploration of delicious.  Through exploring the resources of those in my network.  It is www.WordSift.com.  I am able to take a large piece of text and enter it into a box.  The site then 'sifts' through it and turns out a selection of words from the text.  The example given on the site is the 'I Have a Dream' Speech.  If entered into the text box, the following words come back to you: able, freedom, great, hope, injustice, join, negro, satisfied, stand, together, and white.  This is just a selection of the total number of words that come through after the 'sift' but it gives a good picture of how the site works.  

Here is an example of a "not so great" way to introduce a topic.  Although something I have definitely done in the past.  This is the type of introduction I would like to get away from, and wordswift will help me do so. 

     

       The concept of activating prior knowledge is so very important and I truly feel so happy that I have encountered this site and am able to use it in my classroom.  I am excited about the potential experiences I may have and the types of conversations that will happen in reaction to these word sifts in the classroom. 

Resources:

Ambrose, Susan A., Bridges Michael W.,  DiPietro, Michelle, Lovett, Marsha C., Norman, Marie K.    (May 2010) How Learning Works: Seven Research-Based Principles for Smart Teaching. California:  Josey-Boss

inairah. (January 15, 2011) Retrieved September 7, 2011 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKVFoljm3As&feature=related

talawless. (July 30, 2011) Retrieved September 8, 2011 from  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=397edFYDocc

Wiki Reflection

My personal experience with the Wiki process started out a lot like this....

In the beginning I did not have a clue what the word Wiki meant.  I thought it was an abbreviation for Wikipedia.  It is interesting how I began the journey to understand this concept because it began through searching Google for a definition of a Wiki.  Of course the first place it brought me to was Wikipedia.  Imagine the confusion at that point.  I realized quickly that in order to really understand I would have to research through many different sources to really understand what I was dealing with.  

Through exploring and creating the collaborate wiki on instructional design I learned about the ease of using a wiki and the benefits of collaboration.  Before collaborating on a wiki I had been involved in conversations about citing Wikipedia and the concept of never knowing if the information comes from a valid source.  I had heard of the concept of Wikipedia being an open source for anyone to add information on a topic, but did not quite understand that this idea is used in many other sites.  (Or should I say wiki's)  The collaborating between colleagues was rough at first because I could not quite tell who had worked on what.  Through the discovery of the 'history' tab, I found I could track at least the names of users that have edited a page.  The concept of editing and adding to others' work without speaking to them directly was difficult for me.  I will definitely be better at this the next time I participate in a collaboration of this type.  


If I used a wiki again I would try to give comments and feedback through another source such as email while collaborating.  I would be specific about which parts I had added to a site and other thoughts as to what could be added in order to make the wiki better.  For classroom use I believe this would be extremely difficult for the students in the elementary setting.  If I were able to work with an older group I would be sure to have specific directions regarding siting of sources and exact requirements to meet.  I could see it working more as a topic that I begin as a teacher and then ask certain students to be responsible for adding specific details.  An example could be a wiki on the American Revolution and giving one student the topic of the Battle of Bunker Hill and another the Declaration of Independence.  I would require that each student gives a short 3-5 sentence description, date, important people, and location of the event or topic which was assigned to them.  


I look forward to more wiki exploration and collaboration in the future!


Resource:
jibyollee. (April 30, 2009). YouTube.com.  Retrieved August 31, 2011 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4MwTvtyrUQ