Wikis for everyone

what is

a wiki?

Diane Mackenzie

• Place on the web where many people can come together and share ideas

• Can be like an ongoing conversation • Contains a body of knowledge that

people can share

• WIKI means QUICK – a place to consolidate ideas , links, videos.

• A PORTAL for learning

Example of a simple WIKI

• http://voicethread4education.wikispaces.com/9-12

• http://mrsibrahim.wikispaces.com/home

• http://www.flatclassroomproject.org/

•You don’t have to be technically proficient –

•Not everyone knows how to use HTML to create a webpage

• You don’t have to worry about design – it’s done for you

•You don’t have to worry about FTP

How is a WIKI better than…a blog?

a website?a shared powerpoint ?

It allows COLLABORATION!

• Private WIKI – only members can view and edit

WIKISPACES offers free K-12 WIKI

• Once Educational WIKI was created no problem

WIKISPACES is not blocked by websense

• Attractive layout and ease of use• Support for creating multiple copies of WIKI

WIKISPACES chosen over MOODLE WIKI

What could I use it for ?•

What to consider when starting a WIKI

PURPOSE short term or long term?

AUDIENCEOne class, one subject, whole school ?

CONTENTTeacher created, student work

What can I put on the WIKI?

Youtube video Tasksheet Voicethread

audio

images RSS feed

Many other WIDGETS are available

Hyperlinks Table of Contents Calendar

POLL Slideshow

One WIKI per class

Many WIKIS

contact WIKISPACES to make as many identical copies of the WIKI as you need ( 3 day turn around for me)

WIKI Structure

• What is a WIKI- links to WIKI Help

• TASK Instructions and information.• Criteria for Marking

• Template Pages for each Group

Use Templates for creating multiple group pages

Managing the Educational WIKI

Enrolling Students

• I enter school code name as username and password and let WIKISPACES generate email address.

• ( I add cvx to the username as there are many with same name – jbrown2cvx )

Enrolling students

FEEDBACK TO STUDENTS

• Critical to show the students that you are interested and are looking at what they have done

• From RSS Feed page you click to link to the WIKI and can write a comment in the discussion for that page

WIKI SECRETSYou can view the HISTORY of a page Individual contributions can be tracked • This doesn’t tell the

whole story but is evidence for the teacher backed up observations.

• Discussion pages can also be used.

HISTORY

KEEPING TRACK

www.cvxTEST.wikispaces.com

• I have given you a username and password • You now have an account on Wikispaces on

this name.• Go to your page and complete the Challenge

Exercises • After this you can confidently make you own

wiki and use it with your class• ASK me to help you enrol the students

++++++

• Easy to monitor student progress in the early stages of planning

• View and approve Draft proposals in real time

• Provide Feedback anytime. Record of the Feedback is always available

• Once the Wiki template is created it is easy to copy and duplicate

• Classes were highly motivated to use the WIKI.

++++++

• Absent students could be aware of what was going on

• Students generally organised Groups well - matched ability with specific duties or tasks

++++++

• Definitely less work marking - no trees - all in one place

• History page provides evidence to challenge students who appear to be making no effort or contribution

• Students with IT ability can shine

-------• First time with class on WIKI can be

difficult • Takes time to work out Criteria that you

are confident that you can assess. • Some students claimed they weren't

listened to in their Group and could have done better on their own ( I agreed!)

• Unmotivated students could be spectators although their marks also reflect this .

The End