What is a wiki
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Transcript of What is a wiki
What is a wiki?
Wikiwiki means quick in Hawaiian. A wiki is a website in which users can easily edit any page. The website grows organically by linking existing pages together or by creating links to new pages.
Wait…is this like Wikipedia?
Yes, wikipedia is a
wiki page. Basically,
anyone with access
to the wiki page can
add, edit and delete
content.
But…that means anyone can type
anything on the page!
Why in the world
would I want to use
something like that?
A wiki is a powerful
tool that when
utilized correctly can
be used for
collaboration
projects.
Hmm…could you show me an
example of this?
Sure. Click on the
video to see how
wikis can be a
useful, collaboration
tool.
http://www.commonc
raft.com/video-wikis-
plain-english
Okay…tell me more about wikis?
How do they work?
Well, basically you set up a wiki page and assign members to join the group.
“Teachers can assign one to an entire classroom or to small groups. Many wiki creation programs and websites have educational or classroom features that allow teachers to assign user names and passwords to their students without their students having to create accounts, give email addresses, or provide other personal information.”
- from:
http://curriculalessons.suite101.com/article.cfm/using_wikis_in_the_classroom
How do I create a wiki?
There are various
websites and
software programs
that allow for the
creation of wikis.
Many website
creation software
such as Sharepoint,
include a wiki
creation feature.
Okay, but I am not a techie. Is
there a simple way to create a
wiki? Yes! If you go to the
following website:
http://www.wikispaces.com/ ,
you can set up an account
and then a wiki page
template will be created.
Then you can just start
creating your page.
All about Wikispaces.com
This site is great because if you are a K-12 educator, you can set up a wiki account for free with no limitations!
Click on the link to learn more.
http://www.wikispaces.com/site/for/teachers
Okay, let’s say I decide to use
wikispaces to create a wiki. What
do I do first? First, you must
create an account.
When you do this
you will be asked to
come up with a
username,
password, and you
will have to decide
what settings you
want for your wiki.
Settings? What does that mean?
Basically, the settings detail how you want the wiki
to be used:
Will it be a private wiki?(members only)
Will it be open to the public(meaning anyone can
read it), if it is open to the public can anyone add,
edit content to the page, etc?
Ok, so I created a wiki account
and picked my settings. Now
what? Every wiki website has
two important buttons:
the edit button and
save button. First, you
click on the edit button.
This will turn the wiki
page into a document
where you can type,
edit, and add pictures
and files to your page.
How do I add text, pictures or
files?
When you click on the edit button, you get an
interface that is similar to a word processing
document. While all wiki creation websites and
software programs are different, their interfaces are
fairly simple.
This is one picture of one wiki
interface. You can see it is just a
blank page with a simple tool bar.
Okay…I’ve added content to my
wiki page. Now what?
Well, now all you do
is click on save.
Your work is saved
and ready for the
next person to add
content.
How do I get my students to
access my wiki so they can add
content? Simply send them the
url(web address) of the wiki in an e-mail.
Then, depending on what settings you picked, they can start editing content.
If you set up the wiki as private(members only), you must provide the students with the login information they will need to access the page.
What are some examples of wikis that
other teachers have created?
When you create a wiki, you must remember that
the essential purpose of such a page is to support
collaboration.
It is not meant to be a website that is changed
occasionally. It should be a website that is
accessed frequently and updated frequently.
Examples:
Group projects: Group projects can be a hassle
when it comes to dividing up the work load and
checking up on each other’s progress.
If the group sets up a wiki, the members can list all
the requirements of the project and then everyone
who accesses the wiki can have input as to what
they are assigned.
Example: Here’s what the assignment requires.
Person #1: Would it be okay, if I do the rubric and
opening explanation?
Group projects continued…
Once the assignments are divided up, the group
members will work on their assigned parts.
Once they are done their part, they will then
upload their part to the wiki so that everyone can
see the content, and provide feedback.
This assures that everyone has the same
information and that the final project is something
that the whole group has agreed to.
Brainstorming
For projects like science fair projects, a wiki page can be used to help streamline the brainstorming process.
Example:
“A wiki could be set up for middle or high school students to brainstorm ideas for and plan science fair projects. Initially it would mostly be brainstorming, posting ideas and information to back them up. As they begin to flesh out the ideas that they are interested in, small groups might form to work on individual projects, but could still contribute ideas to other projects. The teacher can act as a facilitator by offering suggestions and asking probing questions to get students to consider particular aspects in the planning of their projects. The wiki could also be used to record and organize data, and plan eventual papers/presentations. “
-from http://wik.ed.uiuc.edu/index.php/Wiki_in_a_K-12_classroom
Portfolio and sharing of finished
project A wiki page can be set
up for individual projects, as well.
Let’s say each student has the same project. Instead of having each student submit their project individually(saving on a network drive, or sending it in an e-mail), the students can upload their work to a wiki page.
Portfolio and sharing of finished
projects continued… So, by everyone
posting their work on the same site, everyone’s work can be shared and is easily accessible.
Students can then see what other people have done and provide feedback on their work.
Where can I find information to
help me create a wiki?
Excellent question!
Here are some great
resources you can
use to learn more
about wiki and
education:
http://www.teachersfir
st.com/content/wiki/
http://educationalwikis
.wikispaces.com/Articl
es+and+Resources