A wiki is a website that allows users to collaboratively edit and form content. The class will use a private wiki to collaborate on projects, post homework answers, and study guides. Only students, parents, and administrators will have access. Students must follow expectations like keeping all posts related to algebra and respectful. Parents must provide permission for students to join and access photos of students may be posted.

1. What in the World is a Wiki?
Definition: A wiki (sometimes spelled "Wiki") is a server program that allows users to
collaborate in forming the content of a Web site. With a wiki, any user can edit the site content,
including other users' contributions, using a regular Web browser. Basically, a wiki Web site
operates on a principle of collaborative trust. The term comes from the word "wikiwiki," which
means "fast" in the Hawaiian language.
Why an Algebra 1 Wiki?
Reason: Our class will use the wiki to collaborate on projects, to post comments on math
problems, to post papers and to do peer reviews. This is what you will find on our wiki:
• Wiki Expectations
• Parent Page with access to quarterly classroom newsletter
• Weekly assignments listed
• Group Pages for group projects
• Review and Study Guides
• Questions answered night before a test
• Web-videos and links to math sites
• Photos of our class
Is the Wiki a safe place for a student to visit?
Answer: Our class wiki is private and is by invitation only. Parents, administrators and
students will be the only people allowed to access the site. The wiki is free of advertising so
surfing to unauthorized sites has been eliminated.
How do I access the wiki?
Easy! Once your parents/guardians have signed the wiki permission slip and your
parent/guardian have authorized an email address, then I will send you an INVITATION via
email to join! You then should respond within 2 days. You will be invited as a “Writer” and
you will have the ability to “Edit” our wiki. Your parents/guardians are welcome to join our
wiki.
Specific instructions on setting up a profile and using the edit functions on the wiki will be
given to you when you join the wiki.

2. Are there expectations of how I will post information at the wiki?
Yes! Here are the wiki expectations:
o Students will need parent permission to access the site. Parents and Jacobs administrators
will be invited to join and can view all content at any time.
o All postings must relate to the study of Algebra. All other postings are prohibited. This is
not a "social" network but a "learning" network.
o Comments of a personal nature are prohibited.
o Unprofessional comments showing lack of respect such as using foul or abusive language,
or attacking someone’s character will not be tolerated. Students will lose their privilege to
participate on the wiki, and consequently, you will not receive class participation points or
project points.
o This site has been set up as a private site. Only the administrator (Mrs. Danstrom) can
invite new members to join.
o When setting up your personal account, your user name will be your first name and last
initial only.
Is there anything my parents should know?
Yes!
 Parents permission is required.
 We may post photographs of students in class on our website. Once again, the site is
private and the only people viewing these pictures will be students from Honors Algebra I,
parents and administrators. Please see the permission slip for authorization.
 Not sure if you would like your child to participate? You can always sign onto the wiki
and have a look around and then make your decision. I will need an email address to send
you an invitation.
 Don’t hesitate to speak to me in person!
I am looking forward to collaborating with you on our class wiki!!
Mrs. Danstrom
847-658-2500 ext 409
carolyn.danstrom@d300.org

3. Parent Permission Form “Honors Algebra 1 Class Wiki”
I/we, the parents/guardians of the student named below, understand the purpose of the
Honors Algebra 1 class wiki and the expectations for using the wiki. We hereby grant
permission for our son/daughter to participate and use the given email address to access the
wiki.
YES! I would like my son/daughter to have access to the class wiki.
_____________________________________ __________________________________
Student Name (please print) Parent/Guardian signature
____________________________________
Student Email
YES! I would like to have access to my son/daughter’s classroom wiki. Here is my email:
____________________________________
Parent Email
No, I would prefer my child to not participate.
_____________________________________ ___________________________________
Student Name (please print) Parent/Guardian
Parent Permission for photos of students posted to the wiki
I/we, the parents/guardians of the student named below, give permission for photos of my
student to be posted on the classroom wiki.
____________________________________
Parent Signature
Permission slips due by Friday September 11th.