what is

a wiki?

Diane Mackenzie

• A place on the web where many people can come together and share ideas

• Can be like an ongoing conversation • Contains a body of knowledge that

people can share

• WIKI means QUICK – a place to consolidate ideas , links, videos.

• A PORTAL for learning

•You don’t have to be technically proficient.

•Not everyone knows how to use HTML to create a webpage. • You don’t have to worry

about design – it’s done for you.

•You don’t have to worry about FTP.

How is a WIKI better than…a blog?

a website?a shared powerpoint ?

It allows COLLABORATION!

What could I use it for ?•

Examples of WIKIS

• http://voicethread4education.wikispaces.com/9-12

• http://mrsibrahim.wikispaces.com/home

• http://www.flatclassroomproject.org/

• Private WIKI – you can set so that only members can view and edit

WIKISPACES offers free K-12 WIKI

• You create an Educational WIKI so no problem.

WIKISPACES is not blocked by websense

• Attractive layout and ease of use• Support for creating multiple copies of WIKI

WIKISPACES chosen over MOODLE WIKI

What to consider when starting a WIKI

PURPOSE short term or long term?

AUDIENCEOne class, one subject, whole school ?

CONTENTTeacher created, student work.

What can I put on the WIKI?

Youtube video Tasksheet Voicethread

audio

Images RSS feed

Many other WIDGETS are available

Hyperlinks Table of Contents Calendar

POLL Slideshow

WIKI Structure

• What is a WIKI- links to WIKI Help

• TASK Instructions and information.• Criteria for Marking

• Template Pages for each Group

www.cvxTEST.wikispaces.com

• I have given you a username and password • You now have an account on Wikispaces on

this name.• Go to your page and complete the Challenge

Exercises • After this you can confidently make your own

wiki and use it with your class• ASK me to help you enrol the students

Managing the Educational WIKI

Enrolling Students

I enter school username as username and password and let WIKISPACES generate an email address (which is not used).

I add suffix to the username as there are many on WIKISPACES with same name – jbrown2cvx

Login in for First time

FEEDBACK TO STUDENTS

• Critical to show the students that you are interested and are looking at what they have done.

• Write comments in the discussion page.

WIKI SECRETS

• HISTORY TABIndividual student contributions can be tracked • This doesn’t tell

the whole story but is evidence for the teacher backed up by observations.

• Discussion pages can also be used.

HISTORY

One WIKI per class

Many WIKIS

contact WIKISPACES to make as many identical copies of the WIKI as you need ( 3 day turn around for me)

Use Templates for creating multiple group pages

RE-SET

Use the HISTORY TAB to re-set the page back to a previous date for

• Graffiti or inappropriate comments .

• Re- use the same WIKI next year

KEEPING TRACK

++++++

• Easy to monitor student progress in the early stages of planning

• View and approve Draft proposals in real time

• Provide Feedback anytime. Record of the Feedback is always available

• Once the Wiki template is created it is easy to copy and duplicate

• Classes were highly motivated to use the WIKI.

++++++

• Absent students could be aware of what was going on

• Students generally organised Groups well - matched ability with specific duties or tasks

++++++

• Definitely less work marking - no trees - all in one place

• History page provides evidence to challenge students who appear to be making no effort or contribution

• Students with IT ability can shine

-------• First time with class on WIKI can be

difficult • Takes time to work out Criteria if you

want to use the WIKI for assessment• Some students claimed they weren't

listened to in their Group and could have done better on their own ( I agreed!)

• Unmotivated students could be spectators although their marks also reflect this .

The End