Wikis: Classroom Use
Activity 1: Define the term "Wiki"
Focus Questions:
What is a wiki?
What is the difference between a blog and a wiki?
Materials
A wiki [from Hawaiian Wikiwiki (quick) + English web] is a website that allows visitors to add, remove, edit and change content, typically without the need for registration. It also allows for linking among any number of pages. The most commonly known wiki is Wikipedia.
Activity 2: Different Hosts & Providers
Focus Questions:
Who are the different hosts who offer wikis for classroom use?
What are the pros and cons of each host?
Materials
o PB Wiki--Free hosting with ads
* Add links, tables, calendars, Google gadgets, spreadsheets, recent changes, recent
visitors, table of contents, # of visitors, chat, photo slideshows, YouTube video
* Makes class sets of User IDs for you
* Allows you to view page history
* Get updates when page is changed
* Add table of contents, discussion area, list of wiki pages, page history, tag cloud, list
of contributors, calendars, spreadsheets, polls, chats, slideshows, maps, tables,
special characters, and audio
* Add video from YouTube, TeacherTube, Google Video, Yahoo TV, and BlipTV
* Allows you to view page history (with highlighter)
* Sends messages to your email
* Get updates when page is changed
* Invite members via email
o Seed Wiki--Free hosting with ads
o Writely
o JotWiki
o Media Wiki--Runs Wikipedia
Activity 3: Contributing to a Wiki
Focus Questions:
How does the wiki actually work?
How do multiple people use it at the same time?
What does it look like?
Materials
Professional Use Wiki: http://7thgradeelectionmaterials.pbwiki.com/
Student Use Wiki: http://filmstudy.pbwiki.com/
http://superintendentsconferenceday.pbwiki.com/
Camping Activity
Favorite Film Activity
Activity 4: Practical Applications: How to Use Wikis in the Classroom
Focus Questions:
How can I incorporate wikis into my classroom?
What are some common sense guidelines I need to put in place before students use wikis in school?
Materials
Professional Uses
o Create a database of resources to share among colleagues (including websites, assignments, model work, rubrics, assessments, etc., all of which can be uploaded onto the wiki).
Student Uses
o Use wikis as a product for group work. (You can see who posted what, which solves the old problem of one student doing all the work unrecognized.)
o Student study groups: have students post notes and share information
o Have students post homework on a wiki. All homework is visible and time-stamped, and students can compare their work to others’.
o Students can create multiple-pages for a single project (e.g., research). They can also get feedback from the teacher/other students during the process.
o Go green! You can access student work without bringing home a stack of papers! J
o Create a page for each unit/topic. Have students post notes, questions, reflections, or subtopics with which they struggle. (“Support pages” for each topic of study)
o Make wikis public or private to share student work with parents and other teachers.
o Have students organize club or group activities with a wiki (e.g., post meeting notes, plan events, etc.).
o Share wikis with other schools.
o Sample Student Wiki: http://rockstarmath.wikispaces.com
Maintaining Privacy / Common Sense Blogging Rules for Students
Blogging Rules & Guidelines
o http://www2.scholastic.com/content/collateral_resources/pdf/teacher_guide/SNOnline.BloggingRules.pdf
o http://www.budtheteacher.com/wiki/index.php?title=Blogging_Rules
o http://room18space.blogspot.com/2009/01/blog-guidelines_28.html
o http://discovery0607.wikispaces.com/Discovery+Blogging+Rules
o http://millersenglish10.blogspot.com/2007/05/responsible-blogging.html
Sample Parent Permission Form
http://onlineconnections.wikispaces.com/file/view/Online+Collaborations+Consent+Form.pdf
Survey: http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?key=pl9_b61Q4c7Mq-TbENfviDQ&hl=en