Wikis

by: Jacquline Pineda

Jenifer Jensen

Carol Horwedel

Kevin Castillo

 http://healeylibrary.wikispaces.com/space/showimage/wiki.gif

What is a Wiki?

Wiki is a piece of computer software, similar to a database, that allows its users the opportunity to edit and contribute page content to a website. Its simple web browser interface promotes content composition by all types of computer users, advance through nontechnical. Wiki participants have all the tools necessary to create or edit web pages along with the support of hyperlinks and a simple text syntax.

Wiki is a tool that can be easily integrated into any classroom curriculum. Lets find out some more about it.

Where do we find Wikis?

Wikis are located on websites that are designed for its intended functions. Using an internet search engine, such as www.google.com, can provide web addresses to many wikis.

Here are a few that we have found:

• www.wikipedia.org/

• pbwiki.com/

•  www.wikieducator.org/Main_Page

What you must know!!!!

• Not all wikis are open to public, some require permission in the form of user names and passwords
• Users can only modify web pages that are open to edit
• Not all wikis supply accurate information, so other sources should be used to confirm viewed information

http://www.ikiw.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/working-the-wiki-way.jpg

As stated before, wikis are tools that can be brought into the classroom. Some practical utilizations of a wiki could be in the form of:

• classroom instruction
• teacher created online content is accessible to students
• cooperative learning
• student created online content is accessible
• etc...

 Examples of Wikis in the classroom

• http://wik.ed.uiuc.edu/index.php/Wiki_in_a_K-12_classroom

•  http://www.wikiineducation.com/display/ikiw/Home

• http://schools.wikia.com/wiki/High_School_Online_Collaborative_Writing

• http://pbwiki.com/content/education-firstweek?r=week1

• http://www.slideshare.net/coolcatteacher/wikis-in-the-classroom

• http://educationalwikis.wikispaces.com/Classroom+Wikis

How to use a Wiki

Becoming a wiki user only requires the participant to have basic internet browsing capabilities. There are many helpful wiki tutorials available on the internet that show step by step instructions on how to create, search, and contribute to this software.

http://blog.tmcnet.com/blog/tom-keating/images/easy-button.jpg

Here are a few websites that offer wiki tutorials:

•  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Tutorial

• http://www.chat11.com/30_Second_Quick_Wiki_Tutorial

• http://wiki.pylonshq.com/display/pylonsdocs/QuickWiki+Tutorial

References

Davis, V.A. (2007). Pedagogy of a wiki-centric classroom. Retrieved September 6, 2008, from slideshare Web site: http://www.slideshare.net/coolcatteacher/wikis-in-the-classroom

(2002, June 27). What is wiki. Retrieved September 6, 2008, from Welcome Visitors Web site: http://wiki.org/wiki.cgi?WhatIsWiki

wiki. (2008). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved September 11, 2008, from Encyclopædia Britannica Online: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/1192819/wiki

extra stuff..........