Ms.+Caston-Smith's+9th+Grade+English+Wiki

=Welcome to our 9th-grade wiki pages!=

Last year, we had a great time discovering how best to use the wiki. I hope that this year I will enhance my abilities to incorporate technology into the 9th grade English classroom.

Expand Student Learning
My number one goal in using wikis is to expand student learning time and the learning experience. Having access to class information while at home can increase understanding and encourage more thought on the subject at hand. When students talk about my subject outside of class, I know what we're learning is making a difference.

Enhance Technology Use
Another goal for Wiki use is to increase students' familiarity with 21st century technology. Many adults talk about how knowledgable teenagers are, but I have found that they are unaware of many programs like wikis and blogs. Many of them do not have email addresses and have very little experience on the Web. By practicing with online tools, we're expanding their horizons and helping them become 21st century learners who are capable of integrating into the increasingly technological world both in college and in the workplace.

Shared Knowledge
One of the most important reasons I use tools like wikis and blogs is to combine the knowledge of all of my students. When we use the wiki for review, students are divided into groups to answer questions from study guides. The groups come up with the best possible answers and enter them on the wiki. By the time all the groups in all my classes have edited and added their information, the study guide is complete. I then have them look at the answers their classmates added and review them for accuracy and detail. One member from each group edits their assigned questions. Then the wiki is as complete and as accurate as 120 students can make it with their combined knowledge. In this manner, the knowledge of the individual is avaliable to the masses, and all students have an excellent study guide for the test.