What+is+a+Wiki?

= Wikispaces =


Wiki means "fast" in Hawaiian and to put it simply, a wiki is a fast and simple web site creation tool. Wikis also allow visitors to contribute and modify content which makes them a powerful social networking tool. If you have accessed Wikipedia for quick information, you have used a wiki. Unfortunately, Wikipedia is often discounted in academic circles because, while a fantastic resource, it can be edited by anyone in the world. Herein lies a troubling paradox...a collective, global, dynamic information source that is subject to misinformation and vandalism. As an educational tool however, wikis offer an avenue for connection and collaboration that has amazing potential.

What is a wiki?
Check out "Wikis in Plain English" for a very bare bones explanation of a wiki another great video by Common Craft media type="youtube" key="-dnL00TdmLY" height="344" width="425" align="center"

So why use this technology in the classroom?
**For a Class Web Page--**Wikis can be a valuable, class specific resource. Teachers can upload a class syllabus, expectations, homework assignments, lecture notes and powerpoint presentations, handouts, study guides, etc. They can also include links to useful websites that relate to the class and even use the discussion board as a sort of help desk.

**For Discussion Boards--**Wikis can be used to host online discussion topics that reach beyond classroom walls...even across curriculums and countries!

**For Collaborative or Individual Projects--**students can use wikis to create and manage group presentations and projects. No longer will you hear "so and so isn't here today and he has all our stuff." In fact "so and so" can now be held accountable for contributing from HOME if absent during a group work day! This type of online collaboration can even cut down on the amount of class time spent working on group projects. Homework can also become less isolated and more collaborative as students can connect with their teacher and peers anytime, anwhere!


 * For Electronic Portfolios--**because many types of files can be uploaded to a wiki, students can create individual wikipages to host their work. Students can easily upload photostories, movies, podcasts, powerpoints, word documents, google earth projects and other files.


 * For Peer to Peer Sharing--**because postings can be viewed by other wiki members, students can learn from each other and review and respond to each others work.

**Because it's all the rage!** Wikispaces alone just announced that this month they gave away their "100,000th free wiki for K-12 education". Wow! This amazing tool is growing so quickly in usage - flexibility, efficiency, collaboration, continuous editing all in your wiki! = [|Ready to get started?] =

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