A Wiki Guide For Teachers

A Wiki Guide for Teachers by Colleen Finnegan

What is a Wiki?
Wiki is derived from the Hawaiian word “wiki-wiki”, which means quick
It is a web site that allows users to add and edit content. In essence, wikis are online writing spaces that encourage everyone to contribute

What are the Educational Benefits?
Promotes asynchronous communication and collaboration
Emphasizes student-centered learning
Encourages socially constructed knowledge
Facilitates teamwork
Aids reading and writing skills
Great motivational tool
Advocates creativity

How Can Wikis Be Used in the Classroom?
Create e-portfolios of class work
Online journals
Debate topics
Collaborative projects
Share resources and class notes
Distribute student materials

Issues in Wiki Use
“Open editing” allows anyone to alter, add, or delete information on the site. Inappropriate content or vandalism could be a problem
Safety concerns regarding students’ personal information
Accuracy of information

Solutions and Considerations
You can decide the security levels for your wiki. It can be set to only allow authorized members of your group to read or modify content
Personal information, such as full names and addresses should not be published
Wikis should be monitored for accuracy and inappropriate content
Information that was modified or deleted can be easily restored

How Do You Create a Wiki?
The main educational wiki providers are Wikispaces , PBwiki , and Wetpaint
The process is quick and easy. Enter your name, password, e-mail address, and select wiki type “education.”

PBwiki Setup

Wiki Provider Resources
Wetpaint’s wikis in education site which has links to teacher wikis
Wikispaces for teachers guide : PowerPoint tutorial illustrating how to use wikispaces
PBwiki 2.0 for education demo : video that shows you how to set up and use your online classroom through PBwikis

How to Introduce Wikis to Your Students
Have parents and students sign an acceptable use policy.
Materials should be supplied to parents explaining what a wiki is and what it will be used for in class
Get parental permission
Conduct a lesson on digital citizenship
Discuss social responsibility and accountability
Outline netiquette guidelines

Wiki Projects – Writing a Story
Students can write a story about a topic discussed in class. They each contribute to the story and at the end it will be printed. Students may add illustrations or pictures. Satisfies NJ CCCS 3.2:A.9, 3.2:A.10, and 8.1:A.3

Wiki Projects – Electronic Portfolios
Have students publish their school work online. Editing and feedback are encouraged to improve writing skills. Satisfies NJ CCCS 3.2:A.9, 3.2:A.10, 8.1:A.3, and 8.1:A.8

Wiki Projects – Travel Guide
Students create a travel guide to a country they are learning about in class and publish it on the class wiki. Research will be conducted online. The guide should include tourist sites, cultures, foods, pictures, and maps. Satisfies NJ CCCS 8.1:B.6 and 8.1:B.7

Wiki Projects – Animals
Students gather information from electronic and print resources about animals indigenous to their state. Students must include pictures and discuss interesting facts. Satisfies NJ CCCS 8.1:B.6 and 8.1:B.7

Wiki Projects – Presidents
Students work in groups to gather and publish information on presidential figures. Each group is assigned a president they are learning about in class. Report should include biographical information and important events during the presidency. Photos, links to historical documents, and speeches should be added. Satisfies NJ CCCS 8.1:B.6 and 8.1:B.7

Sample K-12 Classroom Wikis
Flat classroom project – Collaborative project that connects students from all over the world
List of educational wikis from wikispaces – Includes wiki name and description, teacher identification, and school location
Welker’s Wikinomics – Award winning Economics students’ wiki

http://gtsdlmc.wikispaces.com	32
http://ep2.iab.edu.my	25
http://www.slideshare.net	15
http://reyhan1234.blogspot.com	3
http://reyhan1234.wikispaces.com	2
http://monroehslibrary.pbworks.com	1
http://sciclasswithtechnology.pbworks.com	1

A Wiki Guide For Teachers

by cfinnegan on Mar 01, 2009

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