WIKIS

1. What do think about Wikis? Would you be able to use it in your own classroom?

Wikis could be a useful asset in the classroom. For example, Wiki could be used to create collaberative textbooks, study guides, research projects, collection of data, student portfolios, communication between fellow teachers, and help with organization. It could also be used to create a school or class newspaper to keep students up to date on events.

2. Do you believe that learning by conversing in learning communities can be more effective than traditional instruction? What evidence would we need to confirm (or reject) that belief?

I think a combination between conversing in learning communities AND traditional instruction could be effective in the classrom. We know the outcome of traditional instruction, yet we as teachers have not experimented with learning communities as much. By using BOTH, teachers can cater to students of all types of learning personalities. We could test this by performing experiments, and trying the various methods on the students directly.

3. Do you think that students have different learning styles because of their personality types? According to the test that you have just done, do you think it will help you know your students better? How?

I definately think students with different learning styles can be traced back to their personality types. I think a personality test may not be completely accurate, but it would definately help to better understand the students' needs in the classroom. It will help account for why a student excels in one area, but struggles in another. It is a great thing to do in the first week of classes. Plus, it is interesting for the students themselves.
Stu