What is a wiki?

Wikiwiki means quick in Hawaiian. A wiki is a website in which users can easily edit any page. The website grows organically by linking existing pages together or by creating links to new pages.

Wait…is this like Wikipedia?

Yes, wikipedia is a

wiki page. Basically,

anyone with access

to the wiki page can

add, edit and delete

content.

But…that means anyone can type

anything on the page!

Why in the world

would I want to use

something like that?

A wiki is a powerful

tool that when

utilized correctly can

be used for

collaboration

projects.

Hmm…could you show me an

example of this?

Sure. Click on the

video to see how

wikis can be a

useful, collaboration

tool.

http://www.commonc

raft.com/video-wikis-

plain-english

Okay…tell me more about wikis?

How do they work?

Well, basically you set up a wiki page and assign members to join the group.

“Teachers can assign one to an entire classroom or to small groups. Many wiki creation programs and websites have educational or classroom features that allow teachers to assign user names and passwords to their students without their students having to create accounts, give email addresses, or provide other personal information.”

- from:

http://curriculalessons.suite101.com/article.cfm/using_wikis_in_the_classroom

How do I create a wiki?

There are various

websites and

software programs

that allow for the

creation of wikis.

Many website

creation software

such as Sharepoint,

include a wiki

creation feature.

Okay, but I am not a techie. Is

there a simple way to create a

wiki? Yes! If you go to the

following website:

http://www.wikispaces.com/ ,

you can set up an account

and then a wiki page

template will be created.

Then you can just start

creating your page.

All about Wikispaces.com

This site is great because if you are a K-12 educator, you can set up a wiki account for free with no limitations!

Click on the link to learn more.

http://www.wikispaces.com/site/for/teachers

Okay, let’s say I decide to use

wikispaces to create a wiki. What

do I do first? First, you must

create an account.

When you do this

you will be asked to

come up with a

username,

password, and you

will have to decide

what settings you

want for your wiki.

Settings? What does that mean?

Basically, the settings detail how you want the wiki

to be used:

Will it be a private wiki?(members only)

Will it be open to the public(meaning anyone can

read it), if it is open to the public can anyone add,

edit content to the page, etc?

Ok, so I created a wiki account

and picked my settings. Now

what? Every wiki website has

two important buttons:

the edit button and

save button. First, you

click on the edit button.

This will turn the wiki

page into a document

where you can type,

edit, and add pictures

and files to your page.

How do I add text, pictures or

files?

When you click on the edit button, you get an

interface that is similar to a word processing

document. While all wiki creation websites and

software programs are different, their interfaces are

fairly simple.

This is one picture of one wiki

interface. You can see it is just a

blank page with a simple tool bar.

Okay…I’ve added content to my

wiki page. Now what?

Well, now all you do

is click on save.

Your work is saved

and ready for the

next person to add

content.

How do I get my students to

access my wiki so they can add

content? Simply send them the

url(web address) of the wiki in an e-mail.

Then, depending on what settings you picked, they can start editing content.

If you set up the wiki as private(members only), you must provide the students with the login information they will need to access the page.

What are some examples of wikis that

other teachers have created?

When you create a wiki, you must remember that

the essential purpose of such a page is to support

collaboration.

It is not meant to be a website that is changed

occasionally. It should be a website that is

accessed frequently and updated frequently.

Examples:

Group projects: Group projects can be a hassle

when it comes to dividing up the work load and

checking up on each other’s progress.

If the group sets up a wiki, the members can list all

the requirements of the project and then everyone

who accesses the wiki can have input as to what

they are assigned.

Example: Here’s what the assignment requires.

Person #1: Would it be okay, if I do the rubric and

opening explanation?

Group projects continued…

Once the assignments are divided up, the group

members will work on their assigned parts.

Once they are done their part, they will then

upload their part to the wiki so that everyone can

see the content, and provide feedback.

This assures that everyone has the same

information and that the final project is something

that the whole group has agreed to.

Brainstorming

For projects like science fair projects, a wiki page can be used to help streamline the brainstorming process.

Example:

“A wiki could be set up for middle or high school students to brainstorm ideas for and plan science fair projects. Initially it would mostly be brainstorming, posting ideas and information to back them up. As they begin to flesh out the ideas that they are interested in, small groups might form to work on individual projects, but could still contribute ideas to other projects. The teacher can act as a facilitator by offering suggestions and asking probing questions to get students to consider particular aspects in the planning of their projects. The wiki could also be used to record and organize data, and plan eventual papers/presentations. “

-from http://wik.ed.uiuc.edu/index.php/Wiki_in_a_K-12_classroom

Portfolio and sharing of finished

project A wiki page can be set

up for individual projects, as well.

Let’s say each student has the same project. Instead of having each student submit their project individually(saving on a network drive, or sending it in an e-mail), the students can upload their work to a wiki page.

Portfolio and sharing of finished

projects continued… So, by everyone

posting their work on the same site, everyone’s work can be shared and is easily accessible.

Students can then see what other people have done and provide feedback on their work.

Where can I find information to

help me create a wiki?

Excellent question!

Here are some great

resources you can

use to learn more

about wiki and

education:

http://www.teachersfir

st.com/content/wiki/

http://educationalwikis

.wikispaces.com/Articl

es+and+Resources