Wiki+Wondering?

= = =Welcome to Wiki.=

What are you wondering?

 *  What is a wiki?
 *  How would you use a wiki in education?
 * Can I see some wiki examples?
 * Where do I go to start my own wiki?
 * Where can I find cool widgets for my wiki?

 =Wondering what a wiki is?= If a wiki sounds a bit wacky to you, then you may want to check out one of the more famous examples - [|Wikipedia]. This amazing web-based, free content encyclopedia is actually edited and maintained by thousands of users from around the world. Wikipedia describes a wiki as "//computer software that allows users to easily create, edit, and link web pages//." To you and I, this means that we can easily create a web page and have our students add content to it as easily as they can type their homework.

Still need more?
You are viewing a wiki right now. This page, the menu bar, the links, the embedded video, everything you see was all done using free software that Wikispaces has provided. No specialized program had to be downloaded or purchased to make or maintain this wiki. Organizers and members can view and edit this page from any computer connected to the internet. The feature making this perhaps the most appealing to educators considering student access and membership is that you can monitor the wiki and receive notification of any changes that have been. Since every change is recorded, nothing can be lost or destroyed as revisions can always be undone.

Video Introduction
Ease yourself into the concept by watching a delightful video made by the people at The CommonCraft Show; headphones or speakers are needed. You can check out more of their great videos on your own by visiting[| The CommonCraft Show's] webpage.

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 =Wondering where wikis fit in Education?= Wikis can be used in a variety of ways in the classroom as they can be specifically designed for all sorts of purposes. Teachers can create wiki web pages for students to view; teachers can grant permission for students to edit or add to certain or all pages within a wiki; teachers can invite collaboration across building and district lines; the choices are endless.

Here is just a short sampling of ways that wikis can be used in education.
 * Class collaboration of notes
 * As a platform for peer review of student work
 * Sharing of data or research between multiple classes
 * Aggregate course resources, links, and exploratory projects
 * Posting of student projects (papers, PowerPoints, videos, maps, etc.)
 * Portfolios
 * Literature circles
 * Journaling
 * Collaborative research

 =Wiki Examples= Take a look at some classroom wikis that are worth a second glance. Make note of the features that you like the best or would like to include in a wiki yourself.
 * Mr. Armstrong's US History Wiki Make sure to check out the //8th Grade US History Blog// link.
 * Eduwiki.us South Side Area School District's wiki created by Michael Baker, Jr.
 * French: Middle School A site designed for beginning French students and their teachers.
 * Code Blue A wiki designed for a 6th grade class to simulate an online medical clinic.

 =Creating your own wiki= The web offers no shortage of free wiki tools, however, most are funded by extensive advertising that appears on each page of the wiki. Since the users of the wiki have no control over the type of advertisements that will appear, the best choice for educators is to find wiki tools that are not only free but also ad-free. As luck would have it, all three of the following wiki tools offer secure, advertising-free space for k12 educators at no charge. Use the links below to investigate each wiki tool.
 * [|Wikispaces] media type="custom" key="510405"
 * [|PBwiki]
 * [|WetPaint]
 * [|A Wiki Walk-Through] Good place to start as //Teachers First// reviews the basics of a wik

 =Cool Widgets=
 * [|DoppelMe] create a cool graphical likeness of yourself, your friends, family or any group of people for **//free//**