A wiki is a website that allows anyone to edit or modify its content. Wikis encourage collaborative learning by allowing students to work together on group projects and assignments. Teachers can use wikis to facilitate communication with students and parents by posting class materials, homework, and updates. Well-known examples of wikis include Wikipedia, an online encyclopedia edited by contributors around the world, and educational wikis used in classrooms for subjects across grade levels.

1. What is a WIKI? A website where anyone can edit anything, anytime they want Wikis differ from blogs A wiki is an on-going document continuously being edited by anyone Blogs can only be edited by the owner of the blog. A collaborative writing project Most well known site for wikis: www.wikipedia.com : this is an online encyclopedia that anyone can add to There is an edit every 2-3 seconds! There are more than 75,000 active contributors, working on more than 9,000,000 articles, in more than 250 languages

2. How can a wiki be used in my classroom? Encourages collaborative learning and information sharing They increase student engagement and participation Wikis facilitate communication between teachers and parents and guardians

3. Assignments using Wikis Group projects : Students work together in one place to research, outline, draft and edit projects together Assignments : Post homework, course materials, study guides & other resources for students Peer Review : Post questions for student brainstorming, or have students post papers for peer feedback Group FAQ : Students and/or teachers post and respond to questions on a given topic Parent Involvement : Give parents a chance to be a part of the classroom and stay up to date on classroom news and events Online Newspaper : Create a student-published online newspaper

4. Examples of Wikis in Education http://educationalwikis.wikispaces.com/Examples+educational+wikis – Educational Wikis http://mrlindsay.pbwiki.com/ - 6 th Grade classroom http://fhswolvesden.wikispaces.com/ - Fayetteville High School – English & History http://eduscapes.com/sessions/wiki/wiki3.htm - all subjects and grade levels www.teachersfirst.com/content/wiki/wikiideas1.cfm - wiki ideas for the classroom

5. To create your own Wiki www.pbwiki.com www.wikispaces.com www.wetpaint.com

6. Concerns about Wikis Students should use this as a starting point for their work, not as the sole resource Anonymous authors Editing and security issues