Wikis

Wikispaces

**__What is a Wiki?__** Watch this short video, "Wikis in Plain English", for a quick and amusing explanation: media type="youtube" key="-dnL00TdmLY" height="312" width="512"

__Reasons for use__
Wikis are collaborative online environments in which users can publish writing as well as add elements to their pages such as images, videos, slide shows, polls, audio, and thousands of other widgets available online. In addition to merely collaborating on publishing documents, users can discuss the pages on the discussion tab forums. Also, all past edits can be tracked and users can revert back to past edits.

__Ease of use__
Fairly easy after a short tutorial. Editing is very similar to Microsoft Word and adding elements is as simple as a few clicks.

__Resources__
View this presentation for a comprehensive tutorial of Wikispaces. It is very informative and easy to follow. A must-read if you are working with wikispaces! media type="custom" key="8088654"
 * Wikispaces Tutorial**
 * **Wikispace Basics**
 * [|Teacher's First Wiki Walk-through]
 * Help for K-12 Teachers
 * [|Wikispace Video Tours]
 * [|Wikispace Tutorials]


 * Helpful Links**
 * [|Wikispaces for Teachers (advertisement-free)]
 * Getting Tricky with Wikis
 * [|Teach with Tech Wiki Resources] || ~ ||
 * __Examples__**
 * AP Biology Systems Project
 * Follow Me: Morpheus Fortuna
 * Educational Origami
 * Mrs. Fitzgerald's 2nd Grade Class Wiki
 * Civil War Project - Become the Historical Character
 * Eduwiki.us
 * 5th Grade Project on Ancient China
 * NETS Implementation Wiki
 * B-7 Bobcats Wiki - 1st Grade Class
 * SMARTboard Revolution Notebook Lesson Sharing Wiki
 * Flat Classroom Wiki Project
 * Mrs. Oro's Computer Class Page
 * Regions of France Project
 * Copyright Confusion Wiki
 * Third Grade Collaboration Wiki
 * Cool Tools for Schools
 * Mrs. Abernethy's TechnoTigers - 5th Grade
 * Even more examples of Educational Wikis
 * use feed readers in class to explore collections of student blogs [|Student blogs sample]
 * organize resources on topics connected to curriculum [|Biofuels and Global warming]
 * write a classroom blog reflecting on current events [|Current events]
 * use wikis to collaborate around content [|Carbonfighters] and even discuss poetry, novels, stories - [|Boston middle yrs wiki]