This document discusses wikis and their use in educational settings. It defines wikis as websites that allow for collaborative writing and editing. Wikis are free tools that can be used by students and teachers for research projects, book discussions, and creating a digital learning commons. The document provides examples of how students in 3rd grade, middle school, and high school have used wikis for sports trivia, research on Darfur, and managing a battle of the books competition. It also explains how school librarians can use wikis as a library website or to communicate with other librarians.

2. What is a wiki?
 “A Wiki is a Website that you and a group of people you
permit can create and edit as easily as typing plain text.
Wikis are fantastic tools for collaborative writing. Each
student and/or team of students can have their own
page.”
 http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6277799.html

3. Getting Started
 Most Wiki sites are free although there are fees associated
with addition features like exclusive environments,
unlimited Wikis, and storage space.
 Many Wikis are designed specifically for use in schools.
 Anyone with an email account is able to set up or join a
Wiki.
 Wikis have a variety of privacy setting. Members need to
be invited by the Wiki Organizer to participate or request
permission to join.

4. School Library Wikis in Use
 3RD graders in my Field Experience are currently setting up a Sports Trivia
Wiki. Each group used World Book Online to research a different baseball
team. After researching they came up with a trivia question to post onto
the Wiki. The Wiki allows for students in the 4 different classrooms to
share their information in one centralized location. Students will have
access to different questions for each of the ten teams.
 The home page of a Wiki can serve as an instructional page and pages
can be added with additional topics.
 The Wiki’s ability to hyperlink and embed also allows informational
resources to become centralized. I hyperlinked World Book online to each
team page allowing students direct access to the encyclopedia as they
answer the trivia questions in their notebooks.
 http://franklinbaseball.wikispaces.com
Sharing Ideas:

5. School Library Wikis in Use
 Wiki can be used for research projects. This Wiki was set
up by middle school students from North Hampton
School. Its purpose is to teach people about the crisis in
Darfur and ways they can help spread awareness and
promote peace. As well as provide information on how
students at NHS are getting involved.
 http://savedarfurnhs.wetpaint.com
Research Projects:

6. School Library Wikis in Use
 Wikis can be used for book discussions. This high
school Wiki is used to manage Battle of the Books.
There are pages for students to keep track of the
books they have read, carry on discussions about BOB
they are reading and make suggestion for BOB 2012.
 http://2011bob.wikispaces.com/Book+suggestions+for+2012+Battl
Book Discussions:

7. But Wikis Aren’t Just For Students……..
 As a School Librarian you can use a Wiki as your Library
Webpage. You can use them to help organize your
library. Wikis allow YOU freedom to access and change
information without waiting for a webmaster.
 http://wellesleyhighschoollibrary.wikispaces.com/
 http://wikisineducation.wetpaint.com/page/Middle+Schoolers+love
They allow you to organize………..

8.  You can create a digital learning commons with the
classroom teachers, keeping tabs on a collaborative
project and discussing collaborative resources.
 http://rhsalibrarylearningcommons.wikispaces.com/New+Books
 http://wikisineducation.wetpaint.com/page/Teacher+Peer+Wikis
They allow you to collaborate with classroom
teachers….
But Wikis Aren’t Just For Students……..

9. But Wikis Aren’t Just For Students……..
 Wikis are a place for school librarians to share
information and activities they use in their LMC.
 http://elementarylibraryroutines.wikispaces.com
 http://teacherlibrarianwiki.pbworks.com/w/page/19823570/Front
They allow the freedom to communicate with
other School Librarians…….

10. Wiki Websites
Wikis Designed for Education
 http://www.wikispaces.com/content/for/teachers
 http://wikisineducation.wetpaint.
com/
 http://pbworks.com/content/edu
+overview
General Wikis
 http://www.wikicities.com
 http://www.seedwiki.com
 http://www.wiki.com

11. Recommended Readings
 Molen, Kendra. "Wee Wikis: Implementing the Use of
Wikis with Elementary Students." Library Media
Connection 27.4 (2009): 57-58. Professional
Development Collection. EBSCO. Web. 25 Mar. 2011.
 Oatman, Eric. "Make Way for Wikis." School Library
Journal. 1 Nov. 2005. Web. 25 Mar. 2011.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6277799.
html.
 Ramig, Renee. “Online Tools for Research—Elementary
and Middle School Style.” Multimedia & Internet @
Schools 17.5 (2010):15-17.
 "TeachersFirst: Wiki Walk-Through." Teachers First.
Web. 25 Mar.
2011.http://www.teachersfirst.com/content/wiki/

12. Works Cited
 Oatman, Eric. "Make Way for Wikis." School Library
Journal. 1 Nov. 2005. Web. 25 Mar. 2011.
<http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA627779
9.html>.