Wikis are online collaborative writing spaces that allow multiple authors to edit and contribute to a document simultaneously. They offer benefits like facilitating group projects, sharing resources, and allowing students and teachers to view writing processes over time through previous document versions. However, wikis also present challenges as they conflict with traditional notions of authorship and intellectual property. Teachers may face student reluctance or discomfort with public writing. Overall, wikis promote a highly collaborative view of composing and creativity when used effectively in educational settings.

1. Wikis in Education Collaboration at it’s Best! http://wikipresentation.wetpaint.com

2. The Wiki Prayer Please, grant me the serenity to accept the pages I cannot edit, The courage to edit the pages I can, And the wisdom to know the difference —author unknown

3. What Are Wikis? Wikis are free, online writing spaces. For some, wikis convey a highly collaborative view of composing and creativity. People who contribute to a wiki need to understand that their words may be deleted and changed by others. Wiki authors do not claim ownership of a text. When writers contribute to a public wiki, their work could potentially be read by millions of readers. Each time the text is changed, a new version is saved. Anyone can go back later and see previous versions. This allows teachers and students to see the writing process in action.

4. What Are Wikis? Cont’d Permissions can be set to limit the readers and writers who participate. Each new reader can suddenly become a writer. The draft that matters is the last draft. Power and authority are given to the community rather than an individual or official staff. Wikis are designed specifically as a writing space. Anyone can change anything.

5. How can teachers use wikis to facilitate teaching? Provide a space for free writing Lit circle discussions Share resources such as annotated bibliographies, websites, effective writing samples, etc. Maintain a journal of work performed on group projects Require students to collaborate on documents, such as an essay written by the entire class Discuss curricular and instructional innovations Support service learning projects (i.e. use wikis to build a website about a challenge in their city)

6. What obstacles can teacher’s expect? Wikis conflict with traditional assumptions about authorship and intellectual property. Students are sometimes reluctant to contribute to wikis because they lack confidence in their writing. Some teachers and students are uncomfortable about the advantages and disadvantages of public writing. Some find the technology daunting.

7. Suggested Wikis Wetpaint: www.wetpaint.com PB Wiki: www.pbwiki.com Wikispaces: www.wikispaces.com (ad free for educators) Zoho Wiki: www.wiki.zoho.com Writing Wiki: http://writingwiki.org Teaching Wiki: http://teachingwiki.org For more wikis & ideas see my wiki