Intro to Wikis

Many of us you have heard of a wiki - maybe someone you know said they know someone who saw one... The truth is that they are an amazing way to create and publish web pages quickly and easily. Even more amazing is that anyone is capable of creating a wiki space (it's not that difficult). Even more amazing still is that they are 100 percent collaborative!

Wait, what are we talking about? How can I use one? And what do you mean collaborative? Take a look at the video below from CommonCraft, "Wikis in Plain English."

I feel that this video does what it says, it puts it in plain English. I feel that wikis, in a way, are perfectly designed for educational use. Wikis can be used in the classroom as a place teachers can post links, files, pictures, and other elements for students and/or parents to view and access. Teachers can also use wikis to display student work. If you're really clever and tech savvy, try having students create pages as an assignment. Incorporating student-created wiki pages and allowing them to work together hits several of the Michigan Educational Technology Standards (METS). 

If you are a teacher and are interested in learning more about using wikis in the classroom view the following links to guide your research:

• Teacher's First Wiki Guide
• Educational Wikis Home (note the List of Educational Wikis)
• For Teachers New to Wikis

There are four large-scale wiki providers that offer educational solutions for wiki spaces:

1. Wikispaces
2. PBWiki
3. Wetpaint
4. Google Sites (new!)
   

Seek these solutions out and determine which may be best for you. I'll check the comments for questions.

Well, Irene, I'm Finished...

Sorry about the title, it seemed odd to me also. However, as I have just officially completed the last requirement of my master's degree, I really don't care.

Yes it is true, but now the fun begins. Now I can begin posting all that I have experienced and share it with you. That, is, if you subscribe to the blog and read it as you feel compelled to, I suppose. 

Recently I was directed to iCue (I cannot recall by source...). This is a result of the release of thousands of archived video resources by NBC. The took many of these and are currently building "classes" in which to lead students to incorporate authentic reading and writing skills based on current events. They have a great help feature for those that "just don't get it". I was the same way. Please consider how this may be used in your classrooms. Again, that is http://www.icue.com.