Wikis+In+Education

== = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = **Wikis in Education** =

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A wiki is a collaborative web site that can be added to and/or edited by those with access. A wiki is a great tool for teachers and students to share information and work collaboratively. The basic premise for wikis is quick easy editing and sharing of information. Wikis were named from "Wiki-Wiki" the Hawaiian adjective for "quick". Resource Page

A short and concise introduction to wikis [|Video] (3:52) produced by Lee Lefever for The Common Craft Show.

**Why are Wikis Powerful Educational Tool?**

 * 1) Wikis are free and can be edited in a browser, without specialized programs.
 * 2) Teachers or students can create pages on the fly without knowledge of HTML or interruption of the thought process.
 * 3) Wikis keep chronological history for every page, so nothing is lost forever, no changes can be completely destructive, and revisions can always be undone.
 * 4) Wikis have the capability to be secure and private educational learning environment with individual logins and the option to be a non-public site.
 * 5) Wikis include a discussion area so teachers and students can collaborate about changes before, during, and after they are posted.
 * 6) Teachers can receive notification of any changes to the wiki for monitaring and ensure appropriate content for students.

A great [|tutorial] about why to use wikis in education, and ideas of how to use wikis in education.

=Three Types of Wikis in Education=

1) Simple Web Publishing
A simple Wiki is managed by //one editor.// Teachers can use this easy web-publishing tool to post class assignments, calendar, lecture notes, and resources for students. [|Tips for setting up a class page].

Students can use a simple wiki for their individual portfolios.

2) Joint Web Publishing
A Joint wiki has //multiple editors// and thus is //partially collaborative//. A group of students can participate together in a class project to build a informational website. Teachers can collaboratly build a resource site for their grade level or [|department].

3) Fully Collaborative Web Publishing
A fully collaborative Wiki allows //all registered users// to be editors. Fully collaborative Wikis can be use to create an interactive study guide for students. They can enter information as they learn it, and contributing to a shared body of knowledge for the classroom.

Teachers can set up a [|Online classroom] to build an educational community with their students. [|Tips for setting up a online classroom].

[|Other ways to use Wikis]

=Quick Ideas For Classroom Uses of Wikis=


 * Use for student projects where group members need to contribute at different times and from geographically diverse locations.
 * Use for collaborating on ideas and organizing documents and resources from individuals and groups of students.
 * Use as a presentation tool where those who attend a workshop can contribute to future versions of the workshop.
 * As a group research project for a specific idea.
 * Manage school and classroom documents.
 * Use as a collaborative handout for students.
 * Writing: student created books and journaling. (i.e. Wikibooks)
 * Create and maintain a classroom FAQ
 * As a classroom discussion and debate area.
 * A place to aggregate web resources.
 * Choose a topic on Wikipedia, break the topic into facts, students verify the facts using their information literacy skills, and make changes accordingly (Citing sources).

Before you begin, please take a look at some classroom management advice. = =

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