Wikis

toc =Wikis in the Classroom= Some text from this page is from [|my presentation] for the Wisconsin State Reading Association

What is a Wiki used for?
Wiki comes from a Hawaiian phrase "WikiWiki," which means quick. A Wiki is a website that allows collaboration. Students can log in and edit a project, leave comments for each other (or the team) and see the transformation of collaborative writing as it occurs.

Teachers can also use Wikis for online collaboration. RSS feeds (or other notifications) let you know when someone's made some changes needing your attention.

Online collaborative writing can eliminate time and space. All we need is a computer and the Internet and we can work together from wherever we are.

[|Andy Carvin (PBS) on Wikis for education]

Examples of student work on wikis
>
 * [|CE9's 2007 Wiki Work]
 * AP English Students' Sophie's World Project

Creating your own wiki

 * [|Wikispaces] (We are going to use Wikispaces for today)
 * [|PB Wiki]

Create space and get started.

Editing your Wiki
The maintenance of a wiki is pretty user friendly. You just have to remember to toggle EDIT and SAVE. No control+S. Main tools:
 * New page
 * Making links (wiki links or external)
 * Widgets
 * Comments
 * Inviting members

How to proceed?

 * Investigate what other teachers are doing and borrow their ideas.
 * Think of a unit that would benefit from Wiki work: research? collaboration? Web links?

Back to Technology &Teaching | Back to SITA 2008: Using Blogs and Wikis in the Classroom