In my job as a consultant at the Ethiopian Civil Service University, I conduct trainings. It is customary for me to ask participants of the trainings to brainstorm on issues. I often ask participants think about the issues by themselves and write whatever comes to their mind on a piece of coloured post-it-note papers and post it on the wall. Then I ask participants to move around and try to sort out similar ideas and put them in their categories. This is often a successful activity to encourage participants to contribute. It is mainly encourages when training participants have some sort of power relationship. I am often interested on the idea not who said it.
It is still possible to use this idea successfully even if there is no question of anonymity. Wallwisher is an ICT tool that reminded me all these things. Now I can do all those things using a computer program.
In this article I would like to share about what wallwisher is, how can we use it in our classroom and out of class activities and what are its limitations.
What is Wallwicher?
Wallwisher is an ICT tool that enable as to help us communicate and collaborate in doing some activities. One can come up with an issue to discuss or brainstorm and invite others to contribute even if they are far away. Therefore, individuals con contribute using wallwisher.
The picture above shows the page of wallwisher when you inter using google search or writing wallwisher in the URL of your browser. You need to register so as to enable you produce an account that enable you to save what you do. Once you have your password you can use your wall for your activities.
The actual wall you collaborate with others is as shown in the picture above. Participants can add written texts up to 160 characters, pictures and vireos. When one enters a document the facilitator of the discussion can click ok and help others share it right away. It is also possible for one to comment on what others written of posted. I have started a discussion on what are the causes of higher number of road accidents in Ethiopia. You can refer to the post in this blog how issues are posted up.
What purpose can it serve?
I found it as an exciting tool to conduct trainings that I used to facilitate. However, it is still possible to use for teaching inside and outside classroom. Classroom at higher education institutions can be facilitated. It is still possible to use it for online tutorial on distance and encouraging participations in virtual classes.
The two important pedagogical justifications behind using wallwisher are to encourage leaners participation and facilitate student cantered discussions. Using wallwisher, we can specifically encourage shy learners to contribute and develop confidence. In addition to this, teachers and trainers can see the perceptions of the learners or training participants and adjust their discussion and support based on that. Therefore, wallwisher is an important tool for teachers and students.
Teachers can also encourage students to use the tool while they are at home or with students in other schools
Writing exercises are possible based on ideas contributed form students in classrooms. We can share the points we discussed using wallwisher. Therefore, it creates a chance for other to learn from us.
What are its limitations?
Wallwisher has limited characters (160) to use give written messages. Therefore, this may limit the contributions of individuals. I believe that it is an important variety for our classes or training sessions.
Give it a try and see waht you can do more with it.
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