Wiki Resources - Module 5 Post

Web-based activities are the new and cool tool used in today’s classrooms.  They enhance learning and provide a "hybrid learning" opportunity in which students can learn through both online and face-to-face interactions (Roblyer & Doering, 2013, p. 212).  Of course these students must possess responsibility, self-organization, and technology skills to be successful, but students can be successful learning through these activities (p. 213).

I plan to create a College and Career Readiness wiki, "a collection of web pages located in an online community that encourage collaboration or modify content,” for my students as an "interactive learning community" (p. 223, 227).  In my search I found two wikis that have assisted me in how to structure my wiki, as well as provide multiple resources.  One high school created a Career Exploration wiki.  It guides the students through a series of activities regarding their preferences, strengths, and goals.  In addition, the students take self assessments to identify possible careers that are potentially available.  Once these are identified then the students explore those careers through various web links.  Another wiki focuses more on postsecondary education.  This College Wiki provides sites for college searches, scholarship information, and assessment preparation.  Furthermore, there is a small section on careers and interview tips for students either entering the work force immediately after high school or for that first job following college graduation. 

Roblyer and Doering (2013) state that web-based projects are “rich in resources and learning possibilities” (p. 241).  Podcasts are another tool using in web-based learning.  I found a Test Preparation website that offers various podcasts to aid in the preparation of college entrance exams such as the ACT and SAT.  They provide day-of tips and a checklist of what to bring to the testing site.  Another site provides a lengthy but highly relevant podcast on Real World Job Readiness.  The interviewee is a career coach and provides information on how to prepare one’s self for the career world. 

I searched Diigo, my current social bookmarking site, and found Rebecca Hockridge and Kristi Enger.  Both of these women have a numerous bookmarks for both college and career exploration. Though most of the tags are on these two areas, there are other tags for financial aid, scholarships, career planning, and interviewing skills.

Lastly, I have searched for widgets.  I never fully understood a widget until I started looking for them.  There are literally THOUSANDS of them!  I am definitely hooked and want to appropriately utilize them on my wiki and other web-based projects.  I found a College Search Widget and a Job Search Widget that may be useful but I wanted to find other tools that my students could use on the site.  Because many students need to continue working on organization skills, I found a To Do List widget that will assist my students in completing assignments in a timely and organized manner.   In addition, the Sticky Notes widget will allow them to make notes directly on the site without having to either physically write or open another program.  

Roblyer M. D., & Doering, A. H. (2013).  Integrating educational technology into teaching (6^th

ed.).  Upper Saddle River, NJ:  Pearson Education Inc.