WIKIPedia is the world’s most extensive WIKI and online encyclopaedia, providing teachers and learners alike with access to information and images on every topic imaginable. Today I searched of WIKIpedia for resources to use in the science unit I am teaching during my EPL on ‘Inside the Earth’ and came across a vast amount of information on every topic my learners (and myself) could refer to during this unit – from volcanoes, to rocks, to the layers of the earth, to tectonic plates, continental drift and more. Many of the students in the class are aware of WIKIpedia (as I have seen some of them searching the site whilst using the classroom computers).
During one of this week’s science lessons, I will demonstrate how to use WIKIpedia to search for content on the unit of study. As students raise questions about what they are learning, I will invite them to come up to the IWB and type in a term (they are interested in finding more about) in the WIKIPedia search function and to then share what they find with the class. In this way, the site can be used as way for students to aquire information, actively participate in their own learning and develop their digital literacy skills.
Later this term, students will be working in small groups (‘Relate’) to develop (‘Create’) and present to their peers and parents (‘Donate’) a project on an aspect of ‘Inside the Earth’ (be it the different types of rocks or continental drift for example). The project will be completed both in class and outside of the classroom (likely in their home, the library or a friend’s house). WIKIPedia can be used by the students to research the topic regardless of location and I will make this benefit of the site explicit to students whilst explaining the task.
