Wikipedia in the Classroom

Margaret Santori, (in the Literacy 2.0 book) demonstrates Wikipedia to her students. Most school do not allow Wikipedia to be used. Would you use Wikipedia like Margaret Santori with your students? Why?

I would use wikipedia like Margaret Santori did with her students. This is a site that students are very familiar with and will go to almost right away when they are doing research.  I would model using it like she did in the text because this shows studetns how to check the content of entries for accuracy or to see if the content has been challenged. I agree with what she said about it being a good starting point but to no rely on it as the only search that they would use. If they are going to use this as a resource they should learn how to use it in an effective manner.


If three dimensional reading and writing books with technology (sound, hyperlinks, videos, etc) are our present, what do you think is the future of the written word?

At some point printed books may no longer be available but I personally will think that it will be a sad day. I love to walk through a book store and flip through the pages of the books, and children really need that interaction with the page to connect with the story, it just isn't the same when it is on a screen. There are some great things about the electronic books and I can see where they have their place, text books will be awesome with the videos built right in and the links that will take you to more information. I believe that something special happens when  you read smell the new book smell and look at the cover art and hear the crack of the binding when you open a brand new book, it is like your invitation to a new adventure.