Jenn's+Wiki+Lesson+plan


 * Instructor**: Jennifer Hund


 * Grade level/subject**: 10 CP English


 * Title:** The Holocaust


 * Objectives:**
 * Students will research topics dealing with different aspects of the Holocaust.
 * Students will collaborate to create a group wiki.
 * Students will make connections with what they have found to elements of the novel //Night// by Elie Wiesel.

Students will be taken to the computer lab where the instructor will guide students through an example of creating and modifying a group wiki. Then, students will be given a detailed description of what they will be expected to complete by the end of the week.
 * Brief explanation of how technology will be used:**

Since this is the first time students will be creating a wiki, they should be reminded of how much personal information they should reveal on the internet, particularly since such information is linked to their real names. The video from [|Netsmartz] provides some appropriate guidance and would be a good place to begin.
 * Description of behavior that is expected of students:**

This video would be reinforced by material from Richardson's text, in which specific examples of how students should behave are illustrated. Furthermore, scenarios can be presented that demonstrate that if students do see something inappropriate, then they should tell the instructor immediately so that a report can be made to the IT department. Students will also be reminded that the instructor can see everything that they are posting on their wikis, and everyone else can see it as well. If they give out their password to another student, and that student abuses its use, then the only person to blame is the one who gave out their password in the first place.


 * Procedure**:
 * 1) The class will go to the computer lab to go over what a wiki is and how one is used as well as viewing the video from Netsmartz and discussing appropriate behaviors.
 * 2) Students will be invited to a wiki and presented with their group assignments. The topics for this assignment will deal with the Holocaust.
 * 3) Students will have lab time to research their topic and include information on their wiki. There will also be non-online materials (e.g. books, periodicals, etc.) that will be available for student use to include in their works cited.
 * 4) Students will be responsible for identifying and explaining the importance of their topic. They should include valid information to further demonstrate their understanding of what they are researching.
 * 5) Each wiki should include at least 2 non-Wikipedia links.
 * 6) Students will have one week in the computer lab to learn about wikis and create their own wikis.

The instructor will monitor class wikis throughout the week. A self assessment rubric will be completed by the students, and an overall grade for the completion of their wiki will be provided by the instructor.
 * Assessment**:

=**Addendum:**= This will be outlined in the parent letter that is sent home. Basically, I think Will Richardson explains this nicely, and I might use his words to give examples of how some kids have responded to inappropriate material as well as how it was handled successfully. (Student is researching tattoos and comes across an explicit picture. He hits the back button quickly--good behavior.)
 * What actions will I take and how do I expect my students to respond if they find inappropriate content?**

If I find that a student is abusing the use of computers (e.g. looking at inappropriate material and sharing it with other students), I will be sure to report the behavior to the administration, and I will contact the student's parents/guardians immediately (as I am expecting them to be aware that we are creating class wikis when I send home the parent letter at the beginning of the unit anyway). The student's computer privileges could possibly be taken away (students sign a contract at the beginning of the year at our school--it states that they will not abuse their computer privileges or they will be lost).


 * Works Cited**:
 * Richardson, Will. Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms. Thousand Oaks: Corwin, 2009.
 * NetSmartz Workshop. Copyright 2001-2009. National Center for missing & Eploited Children and Boys & Girls Clubs of America. 1 Mar. 2009 .
 * Wiesel, Elie. Night. New York: Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, 2000.

=**Parent Letter**=

Dear Parent/Guardian,

As you are probably aware, social computer networks are an integral part of our society, and they will continue to be so for the foreseeable future. That is why I hope to help students become more familiar with the social uses and applications of computer networks.

In the next week or so, your child will be participating in an online wiki assignment. A wiki is a page on the Internet that allows any registered user to add or modify the information on it. The most familiar and visited wiki on the internet is Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia.

In this assignment, students will be researching information about the Holocaust (in conjunction with the novel they will be studying, //Night//, by Elie Weisel). Students will work collaboratively online to create a wiki that presents the results of their research. It is important to note that, while only students who are in Mrs. Hund's English class will be allowed to post and/or modify the wiki, anyone with internet access will be able to view it. For this reason, it is essential that each student be careful about what he/she decides to post.

In class, we have gone over a few items that will help to protect students while working online. You may find the website __Netsmartz__ (http://tinyurl.com/ynwzlw) helpful to view with your child. Please keep in mind that the class wikis will be closely monitored, and I can see everything that each student is doing. One key point that I have spoken to your child about is password protection. We discussed how crucial it is to keep passwords and private information to ourselves, not only for this class but also in common practice; there is an inherent risk in sharing this information with anyone else.

Students will be assessed on how well they collaborate with their group members, the information they find to include on their group wiki, and their overall participation. Furthermore, students will be given an opportunity to complete a self assessment analysis in which they will receive a separate grade based on what they think they deserve.

If for any reason I feel that your child is not responsible enough to continue with this wiki, he/she will be given an alternative assignment. Likewise, if you are uncomfortable with your child participating in this assignment, I will be more than happy to provide an alternative assignment for him/her.

Thank you,

Jennifer Hund