This summer has been an incredible time of learning for me. Most recently, I became a wikier (term I just made up - I think) Back in April, I made an entry in Wikipedia for Information and Media Literacy as a single term. The reason for this is explained on the site.I had difficulty getting it to work at first so I gave up until we were discussing Wikis as part of TLITE. (A post baccaleaurate diploma in Teaching and Learning in an Info Tech Environment). I had tried by posting to Wikipedia so I went back and tried again. This time I was able to access and update the entry for Information and Media Literacy.
I was also encouraged to start my own wiki. I saw the ability to easily publish information and invite others to edit. †While First Class and HCK pages allow easy editing, sharing is not intuitive.
I started http://iamliterate.wikispaces.com with only 3 pages. I was presenting at SFU Surrey on Web2.0 and Internet searching. Within 5 days, I had 15 pages linked and filled with information. I was able to add valuable information as it was needed. Most impressively, I updated my wiki while the presenter before me was presenting. I was not off task, I added the information she was teaching the group.
Wikis have incredible power as a publishing tool. I have felt free to share my work, handouts, activities for many years; however, there also needs to be a paradigm shift to accept that on the fly publishing meets needs. In addition, others need to feel empowered to make those changes. (I had one typo that a teacher in the group fixed it during the presentation.) I celebrated this with the group as it is what I want.
I have moved myself into a new aspect of being literate with Wikis. Come join me by reading and contributing to my wiki @ http://iamliterate.wikispaces.com.
