Using Wikis in the Classroom

What is a wiki?

“Wiki” - the Hawaiian word for “quick”

A wiki is essentialy a web page with an "edit" button allowing users to add and edit information. This provides a very useful, and sometimes powerful, way for the wiki users to collaborate on projects.

In a wiki, anyone and everyone gets to decide what will be said (content), how it will be said (organization), and whether it will be said (dissemination).

Background articles, information and "how to's" on wikis

Glorified Whiteboard.Edutopia.

Edutopia magazine article focusing on one teacher's exemplary use of wikis in her classroom.

Big 6 Collaborations and Wikis

An article on how to bring Big 6 projects to life with wikis.

Wikis in Plain English.video

A quick (dare we say "wiki") video providing a good overview of how wikis work.

DeAnza College Wiki Overview

A wiki workshop page from DeAnza Colloege provides an excellent overview of wikis with links to many additional wiki resources and tools.

Which Wiki is Right for You?

Shonda Brisco of SLJ evaluates three popular wikis: pbwiki, wikispaces, and wetpaint.

Wiki Matrix

Compare dozens of wikis on a multitude of criteria or do a customized search for the right wiki for your needs.

Wiki Classroom Examples

[http://meyerisland.wikispaces.com/A+and+W's+writing|Mr. Meyers Fifth Grade Class Wiki]

A class web page covering a variety of content areas, collaborative work and student and teacher input.

Alatoba Class Collaboration

7th grade classes in Alabama and Manitoba combined on this wiki page.

Flat Classroom Collaborative Project

Vicky Davis, a Georgia high school teacher, is one of the preeminent wiki using US educators. This is a world wide collaborative project she has developed with her class based on Thomas Friedman's recent book, The World is Flat. Inspiring work.

Viet Nam Research Project

High school Viet Nam war research project all built into a wiki.

Deer Valley Track Wiki

Here's an interesting example of using a wiki to organize and disseminate information, from the Deer Valley High track team.

Elementary Math. Patterns

Several elementary classes collaborated on this wiki about patterns.

How-To Wiki

Okay, you know about Wikipedia, but here's a wiki How-To manual that everyone can write and edit. A wide range of topics: How to run up a wall and flip; How to fold a paper rose; How to solve a Sudoku. This is good stuff! What do YOU know?

Other Wiki Uses

DCIS Advisement Tool Box

Faculty shared best practices as we were all learning how to do advisement.

Faculty Meeting Notes

One person takes notes right in to the wiki at the meeting. Others can easily change any missed or misunderstood details. Notes are online for those who weren't able to attend.

Faculty Party

Easier than an Evite!

DPS Librarian Tool Box

Created by Antonio at ERS, this is a new place for DPS librarians to access resources and share and swipe best practices.

Free Wiki Websites

PBWiki

An easy-to-use (but graphically limited) site. The host site for this ILT Workshop wiki.

WetPaint

A fine wiki tool with lots of good templates--visually pleasing and easy to use. It's now advertising-free for education.

Wikispaces

One of the most popular wiki sites for educators.

PikiWiki

A relative newcomer, it has good "drag and drop" features for adding and editing photos, videos and sound. Bright, kid-friendly graphics.

!

Wiki Work

Here's your place to practice working in this wiki.

Wiki Work