I have limited personal experience with Wikispaces with a single assignment in the Spring. I didn't fully explore it, and it was too long ago to remember anything other than posting on a forum and creating a collaborative document. Therefore, I decided to look in depth at PBworks to see what it has to offer.
First of all, I like the layout of PBworks. It's easy to navigate with a home page and pages to create along with files to upload. It would make it easy for teachers to create different pages as forums for students to discuss. Plus, students and teachers could upload files. The comment replies are similar to forum discussions. In the free account, there are even pages set up like "Syllabus" and "Assignments." I think it could be a way to host an online class (or supplement a classroom) to provide directions and a means for documented collaboration/discussion as well as file submissions. Folders could even be created to divide the class into small groups. Honestly, I don't remember Wikispaces being this user-friendly.
PBWorks lends itself to Vygotsky and Social Learning theory. This theory states that people learn through interactions and communications with one another. I would use PBWorks as a means to host a modified "Socratic Seminar" in the High School English classroom. This way students would be able to participate in discussions, learn from each other, and develop their own understanding of a book without memorizing facts.
Lesson example:
After reading the book To Kill a Mockingbird, I would create 5-6 discussion pages on PBWorks with different discussion questions on each page. Each student would be required to:
- Answer two questions. Each response should be at least 1 paragraph.
- Respond (agree or disagree with explanation) to two peers' answers (on 2 other questions).
- Reply to at least 3 comments on their original posts.
Question Examples:
1. Is Atticus "wrong" and illegal because he does not tell the truth about Boo Radley killing Ewell?
2. Do you think Atticus was a good single parent?
3. How does the trial change Jem and Scout?
4. Describe Maycomb's educational system. How is it similar or different from today?
5. Do you think Mrs. Dubose is a courageous character?
6. Do you feel sorry for Mayella Ewell?
The teacher would be able to monitor the discussions, and the topics that generate the most interest could even be incorporated into the classroom for further discussion. Posts and replies could also be graded with a rubric.
