wikispaces are useful in the classroom

I recently started a Wikispace with a colleague for the purpose of having our perspective classes (grade 2/3) communicate online.  We want our students to learn net etiquette and how to communicate online while sharing their learning about First Nations Seven Sacred Teaching, First Nations art and the Carrier Language.

The site is private, for only the teachers involved and students involved to use.  Parents do not have access even!  I would share this with my LIBE 477 class but I am afraid that posting this slightly opens the privacy we desire!  We have been encouraged by our district to share what we are doing with other teachers in our district but no further than that range.

Our intentions for the Fall is that as students create their “animal” puppet from the seven sacred teachings, pictures will be posted and students will share their learning.  We are just in the learning about our assigned sacred animal and its virtue at this stage.  The kids are very excited about this.

One thing I was surprised at is that, in a recent survey, I learnt that of this class of 23 students, 3 have their own Facebook account, 12 others use their parents Facebook account and 4 students have their own gmail account!  Grade 2 and 3 students!