This document provides guidance for using Web 2.0 tools like wikis to support literacy in early elementary classrooms. It discusses structuring wiki activities similarly to traditional assignments, planning effective instruction, choosing appropriate wiki resources, addressing implementation considerations, and assessing student work on wikis. Best practices are outlined for creating templates, libraries, instructional pages, and using discussion tabs for assessment questions.

1. New Literacies for Early Elementary: Web 2.0 Tools to Support Literacy Jeremy Brueck, The University of Akron jbrueck@uakron.edu

2. RESEARCHING

3. Old School  nu skool Structure “e-tivity” like a “traditional” activity. Have students complete a graphic organizer , draft, edit & revise before publishing work on wiki, blog, etc… Teacher introduces content. Teacher gives explicit directions. Share expectations Model Foreshadow problems Practice together.

4. Planning for Instruction BEGIN and END with standards Keyboarding OR Copy/Paste ? What skills do your possess already? What skills do your students need to learn? What are your lesson objectives ? Spelling Writing Process Handwriting

5. REPORTING

6. Choose appropriate resources Why use wikis? Structure based on hierarchical subject divisions through: new page creation internal and external hyperlinking Allow basic page formatting functions Text editing (HTML editors) Insert images, tables & lists Hyperlinking Embedded media Schwartz, L., Clark, S., Cossarin, M., and Rudolph, J. (2004). Educational Wikis: features and selection criteria. The International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, Vol 5, No 1. Retrieved July 1, 2008 from http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/163/244 .

7. Free wiki resources wikispaces http://www.wikispaces.com/ pbwiki http://pbwiki.com/ seedwiki http://seedwiki.com/ wetpaint http://www.wetpaint.com/

8. Important Considerations Private or Public Should anyone be able to edit or just members? How will you create accounts for all your students? Advertisements

9. Use Templates BEST PRACTICE Create templates to easily replicate common wiki pages your students will need. Go to "Manage Space.” Click on "Manage Templates.” Name the new template. You can create your template from a blank page or an existing page on your space.

10. Create a Picture Library BEST PRACTICE: Upload files without adding them to a wiki page before students edit wiki. Go to "Manage Space.” Click on "List and Upload Files.” Click "Upload Files" and then choose the file (or files) to upload from your desktop. Click "Select" and the file will begin uploading.

11. Instructional Preparation BEST PRACTICE: Create your wiki pages and outline prior to class use. Click "New Page" in the left sidebar. Select the template to start from. Create your new page. You can then edit your page based on the template or save it as is.

12. Limitations and Considerations Editing Simultaneous editing of one page in a lab setting presents challenges Learning Center approach is more effective History Tab Is an excellent monitoring tool In a public space, only IP addresses are shown

13. ANALYZING

14. Assessment BEST PRACTICE: Incorporating assessment into the wiki provides information needed to adjust teaching and learning while they are happening. Use the DISCUSSION tab to create assessment questions. Copy the URL of each question and link to it from the wiki page.

15. Assessment Survey Tools SchoolWires http://www.schoolwires.com SurveyMonkey http://www.surveymonkey.com Free account allows 10 questions Zoomerang http://www.zoomerang.com Basic service is free Educational pricing allows you to export & analyze results

16. Questions/Comments Please post your questions in the comment section of this wiki. http://early-elementary-wikis.pbwiki.com/ Jeremy Brueck The University of Akron jbrueck@uakron.edu