Using wikis to engage students in collaborative learning

Lena ArenaICT Consultant k-12

Carmelina.arena@det.nsw.edu.auPh: 9582 2810

Project Outcomes• Teachers:

– develop an understanding of the philosophy and pedagogical principles underpinning a wiki

– plan and develop a wiki project that satisfies syllabus outcome

– engage in activities that improve their ICT skills and gain greater confidence in integrating technology in teaching and learning programs

– develop skills in the creation, publication and maintenance of a class wiki

Project Dates (Group 1)

• Workshop 1– Tuesday 29 July 9am -3.30 pm

• Workshop 2 – Tuesday 19 August 9am – 3.30pm

• Workshop 3 – Wednesday 22 October 3.00pm –

5.00pm

This workshop

• Introduction to wikis– What is a wiki?– Why use a wiki?

• Research and Planning– Evaluating wiki sites– How can you use a wiki in your

classroom – brainstorming ideas

• Creating a wiki– Using wikispaces.com to create a wiki

Next workshop

• Complete the wiki space

• Refine the wiki to satisfy syllabus outcomes

What is a wiki?

• a wiki is a web site that enables users to read, create, edit, and delete its content

• named after the Hawaiian word wiki-wiki for "quick”

• most well-known example is the Wikipedia, a free online encyclopedia edited by volunteers around the world

• a living collaboration whose purpose is the sharing of the creative process and product by many

What is a wiki?

• Wikis in Plain English

• Web 2.0 tools

Sourced from Teacher Tube

http://www.teachertube.com

What is a wiki?

Why use a wiki?

• Great motivator for students

• Easy to monitor

• Allows for creativity and innovation

• Encourages participation of all students

• Promotes communication between students, teachers, and parents

• A new, interesting way to learn

Why use a wiki?

• It’s a very easy to use online collaboration tool.

• It can be used by YOU to share ideas with other teachers on ideas you want feedback on.

• It can be used by YOUR STUDENTS to track their understanding on the subject you are teaching – (ie: character study in Charlotte’s Web, collaborative creative writing, current events, etc.)

Why use a wiki?

• It can be used by STAFF to track staff meetings, in-services, curriculum studies

• It can be used by PARENTS to keep track of homework, of how their child is participating in online discussions, etc.

How can it be used in the classroom?• Simple websites• Peer-reviewed projects• Group projects• Manage school and classroom

documents

How can it be used in the classroom?

• Classroom discussion and debate

• Teacher collaboration

• Post classroom assignments

• Collaborate with an international classroom

Types of wikis

• Public– Anyone can view and edit your wiki

• Protected– Anyone can view your space but only

members can edit

• Private– Only members can view or edit your

space

Questions to consider…

• How are schools to adapt to the influence of Web 2.0 technologies, manifested through an increasing student usage of Web 2.0 technologies outside the classroom for social networking, information gathering and value creation?

Remember…

• You need to interpret Web 2.0 technologies from a pedagogical perspective

• You need to establish shared protocols for the use of the wiki

Australian wiki sites

• Premier’s Reading Challenge– http://

premiersreadingchallenge.wikispaces.com/

• Youth Environment Network– http://youthenvironmentnetwork.pbwiki

.com/

• Dullywood– https://dullywood.wikispaces.com/

Some educational wikis

• Educational Wikis– http://educationalwikis.wikispaces.com/

• The Wright 3– http://thewright3.wikispaces.com/

• Adams News Wiki– http://adamsnews.wikispaces.com/

• Code Blue– http://codeblue.wikispaces.com/

• Cyberchickens5– http://cyberchickens5.wikispaces.com/

More wiki sites

• Waltham High School– http://walthamhigh.wikispaces.com/

• Westwood– http://westwood.wikispaces.com/

• Priestsic6– http://priestsic6.wikispaces.com/

• Salute to Dr Seuss– http://salutetoseuss.wikispaces.com/

Useful websites

• SmartCopying– http://www.smartcopying.edu.au/

• Your guide to social e-learning– http://

socialelearning.flexiblelearning.net.au/

Quotes for thought…

• A community is like a ship: everyone ought to be prepared to take the helm. - Henrik Ibsen