Wikis

= = media type="custom" key="111606" toc =Wikis Overview=


 * media type="youtube" key="-dnL00TdmLY" width="425" height="350" || A Wiki is a collaboratively generated website that has multiple authors. The video does a nice job of describing Wikis in "Plain English". The example provided in the video isn't directly related to an educational setting but it does a nice job of describing the purpose of a Wiki and it shouldn't be too hard to see some relevant applications in a k-12 setting. ||

**Uses of Wikis in Education**
This UMD EdTech Wiki is one example of how a Wiki can be used in an educational setting. I am using it as a dynamic online textbook of sorts where all my students are authors and can contribute resources, ideas, definitions, lesson plans and much more to help create a shared understanding of educational technology in the k-12 setting.

Educational Benefits of Wikis
Wikis are one way to encourage students to take ownership of their learning as they are put in charge of writing and creating the content for the Wiki. They also provide students with a non-traditional way to express their understanding of a particular concept or subject. A Wiki can help make the connection between home and school as parents view the Wiki and either contribute to it or discuss it's contents offline with their student.

Specific Ideas for using Wikis in a k-12 Setting
Click here to add or view a lesson plan or idea for using this technology in the classroom.

**Relevant Online Tools**

 * Wiki Creation Tools (each of these are sites provides free Wikis)
 * Wikispaces is currently providing ad free Wikis to all teachers that plan on using the Wiki in a k-12 setting.
 * [|PBworks]allows you to edit the font type and color more than Wikispaces but many of the features and functionality is the same beyond that.
 * Widget Creators
 * [|BuzzDash] This widget allows you to create simple polls to include on your Wiki.
 * [|PollDaddy] Similar to BuzzDash you can create polls with this tool.
 * [|Sploder] You can create a basic arcade game with this tool and add it to your Wiki.
 * [|Yahoo] There is information on how to create your own widgets at Yahoo.
 * [|Fodey] This tool has a variety of ways to create simple animations with text based comments.
 * [|Google Widgets] Google has a large array of ready-made widgets to add to your Wiki.
 * [|Grazr] This tool allows you to create your own widget but is not as easy to learn and use as the other tools.
 * Examples of Wikis used in Education
 * Finding yourself (__http://discoveryisms.wikispaces.com/Astroism__) is an interesting space for kids to share their opinions about different belief systems and "find" themselves.
 * High School History and Language Arts ( http://fhswolvesden.wikispaces.com/) is a space that is being used as an interactive and collaborative class homepage.
 * Flat Planet Project (http://flatplanet.wikispaces.com/About) is a space devoted to environmental issues that includes students from Canada and England.
 * An award winning Wiki centered on the book [|The World is Flat] can be found at http://flatclassroomproject.wikispaces.com/. This is a Wiki that pairs students from Georgia with students in Bangladesh.
 * Holes (http://stanleyyelnats.wikispaces.com/) is a space that reviews the plot, setting, characters and more of the famous book by Louis Sachar.

**Relevant Articles, Readings &** Sources of Information (Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, Discussion Forums etc.)

 * Educational Wikis has a lot of great information for anyone trying to learn more about using Wikis in the classroom.

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