Wiki 101Wiki Web Pages

for Collaborative Learning

What is a Wiki page

A wiki is a website that uses wiki software, allowing the easy creation and editing of any number of interlinked web pages.

Students and teachers are able to interact with each other and with students around the world to solve problems and work collaboratively.

What are the Benefits?

Safe and preselected weblinks

Group collaboration and file exchange

A platform for final presentations

Multiple disciplinary learning

24/7 accessibility

Critical thinking

Easy to use

Changes in Teaching

Teachers become facilitators, guiding rather than lecturing

Links to specific content are preselected and proven safe and relative

Teachers can track progress and conduct assessment at the end of projects

Projects can include global interaction with peers, experts and other audiences

Utilization of current technologies

Changes in Learning

Students learn to work in teams and share information and technology skills

Students incorporate subject matter outside of class curriculum that coincides with grade-level learning

Students learn how to outline, research and develop content for 21st Century Skills

Mastery and retention of material

Transference of learning

Promotes creativity

Example of a Wiki Project

In Perth Amboy High School, NJ, students collected and conducted tests on water samples for the “Raritan Watershed” project. They compiled data electronically and exchanged information with other schools online. Results were discussed on wikis, and multimedia presentations were prepared to illustrate results and conclusions. Before this program was implemented, none of the students received a score of three or higher on the AP Environmental Science exam. After implementation, 30-40% of the students have received a score of three or better.

http://www.setda.org/web/toolkit2008/student-engagement/technologytools#Wik

Using Wikis in the Classroom

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdOKUeT0O-o&feature=related

Getting Started

Go to www.wikispaces.com

Create an account by clicking sign in

Create an Account

Select “Create a new Wikispaces account

Creating Your First Page

Select “Create a new Wikispaces account”

Create new wiki page by filling in boxes where indicated

Linking from Homepage

Your first page will be you home page where you can create and access all created pages.

The left column is always visible for linking between pages and organization of projects.

Wiki Component Examples

Create an open-ended question that will begin exploratory learning of a specific topic

Supply a hotlist of resources to access safe websites that relate to the topic

Supply link to a rubric to guide students of expectations

Provide an assessment sheet to evaluate and communicate learned skills

Provide link to email for questions and concerns

Evaluating Student Learning

Use rubric to evaluate understanding of content

Access student presentation online and have students present to the class

Allow for questions and answers for further evaluation of understanding

Questions and Answers

Are you comfortable with developing a Wiki page? Is it too complicated?

How can you incorporate a Wiki into a project in your class? .

How can this type of project enhance student learning

How do you see this type of project successfully teaching multiple disciplines? What type of disciplines?

What questions do you have about Wiki development?

Make a Difference

“The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those that connot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.”

Alvin TofflerAmerian Writer and Futurist