Main presentation on using wikis in education. See my other presentations for the intro and teaser. http://rachelboyd.blogspot.com http://rachelboyd.wikispaces.com

1. The
Way
Rachel Boyd,
Nelson Central School
August 2007
http://rachelboyd.blogspot.com
[rshirley@paradise.net.nz]

2. Shall we start with the
good news
or
the bad news about
wikis?
Good Bad
News News

3. The Good news:
If you can use a
word processor
(eg. Word)…
YOU CAN WIKI!

4. The Bad news:
“Wiki-ing” can be
HIGHLY ADDICTIVE!

5. Why s
are great!
They are free!

6. Why s
are great!
They are easy to:
set up, use
update and monitor

7. Why s
are great!
They are cross
platform:
[Can be used on PCs or Macs]

8. Why s
are great!
They run on older
computers

9. Why s
are great!
They can run with a
slower Internet
connection

10. Why s
are great!
They are available
from home and
school

11. Why s
are great!
They facilitate
collaboration

12. So, what is a
?
This video, by the folks at Commoncraft,
explains the theory behind a wiki “in Plain
English” without using ANY technology!
http://www.teachertube.com/skin/player/fullscreen2.html?file=/flvideo/4339.flv
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dnL00TdmLY
[This presentation is embedded on my wiki page of notes:
http://rachelboyd.wikispaces.com
Should you wish to view the presentation again.]

13. “A web page with
an edit button”

14. s are…
A type of web site that allows users to easily
add,
remove,
and otherwise edit and change
some available content
This ease of interaction and operation
makes a wiki an effective tool for
collaborative authoring.

15. Two important
buttons!
When using a wiki there are two
important buttons to understand and
use.
They are:
and

16. Types of s
Space types:
• Public:
Can be viewed by anyone.
Also can be edited by anyone.
• Protected:
Can be viewed by anyone
Only can be edited by members of the space.
• Private:
Can only be viewed or edited by members of
the space.

17. Features of s

18. Keeping s safe
• Keep wiki ‘protected’ so only members
can edit
• Use students first names/initials only on
the wiki and for user names
• Track users’ comments in discussion tabs
• Parents can be invited to join
• Emails not necessary to sign up - email wikispaces with
details instead
• Use history tab to undo any ‘changes’
• School rules apply - have a wiki
agreement or policy with students

19. Top s to
view
http://del.icio.us/wikiworkshop
Then click on “top wikis” on the sidebar

20. Walkthrough
Ways and ideas wikis can be used in the
classroom
http://del.icio.us/wikiworkshop
Then click on “wiki tour” on the sidebar

21. basics
Creating a “space”
Editing a page (using the toolbar)
Creating a link
Inserting pictures
Uploading files/documents
Creating a new page
Using page history
Using the discussion tab

22. Top Tips
Small edits
Save regularly
Use the history
Refresh page before writing
Make use of the discussion tab

23. Let’s
!

24. There are numerous places to get
and start a wiki for free.
We will be using Wikispaces
who provide advertising-free wikis
to teachers and educators.

25. More??
• Notes, presentations and tutorials on:
http://rachelboyd.wikispaces.com
[click on wiki workshop in the sidebar]
• Links to top wikis and professional
readings on:
http://del.icio.us/wikiworkshop