Wiki is Not Wicked. Repeat. Wiki is Not Wicked. Repeat

"Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established,"  (ESV, Proverbs 16:3)

As I found myself using Wiki for the first time, I realized I had to "Commit my work to the Lord" or be committed, myself.  I must admit, Wiki and I have not exactly bonded.  I know you techies are baffled, but I am the poster child for technology challenges and I have really earned my wings on learning about Wiki.  My first thought was to begin "playing the tape" I hear from some---not all---but some teachers at my school.  "Oh, Krista.  You just don't get it.  It's a generational thing.You didn't have computers when you started teaching.   Well, duh!   I knew that....now just answer my simple questions and I will be on my way."  Unfortunately, that is an all too common conversation, but it doesn't have to be that way. A school needs colleagues of all ages and all specialties.  We have an opportunity to set the best example in the world for our students that it truly is possible for all ages to work together and learn together and help each other....together.  I sensed Wiki was just such a collaborative tool, IF I could master it.   Because I could not seem to get Wiki to do what I needed it to do, my frustration level gained momentum.  I backed off from Wiki for a few hours to contemplate the reasons I had even started my doctorate.  Gradually, I remembered.  I had been placed by God at Liberty to work on this degree.  With renewed commitment, I tried again.  And yet again. Although I am still learning, I am beginning to see the worth of this new tool. I have realized it is possible to edit writing samples, a feature I have not witnessed in other online tools.  It is definitely a way to offer and receive feedback on an assignment or future lesson plan activity.   A "Wiki-ite" has access to a history of information and can review former writing attempts to see if an earlier version was better.  Several teachers all teaching the same subject could finalize plans for a lesson in several days with input from everyone. I rather like the give and take flavor a Wiki offers to conversations with colleagues.  I am beginning to value the collaboration aspect. "...therefore, wikis are a tool that may be very useful in tracking how groups work together," (Spector, et al, 2008, p.228).  My commitment has returned and I have made peace with Wiki.  I have realized I can be an example to the TWOC (techies without compassion) I teach with daily.  It is true, we did not have computers when I began my teaching years before your arrival on this earth, but keep in mind, oh little one.  The fire to teach is still with me and I have jumped on and off many educational bandwagons with great success.  Technology is just one more and is here to stay.  Scoot over and make room.  It may take me longer to "get it," but when I do, I will use my new tool with everything I've got.

Spector, J., Merrill, D., Merrienboer, J., & Driscoll, M. (2008). Handbook of Research on

          Educational Communications and Technology, 3rd ed. New York, NY: Taylor & Francis

          Group

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version