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=Using Wikis in the Classroom=

**What is a wiki?**
“Wiki” - the Hawaiian word for “quick” A wiki is essentialy a web page with an "edit" button allowing users to add and edit information. This provides a very useful, and sometimes powerful, way for the wiki users to collaborate on projects. http://www.commoncraft.com/video-wikis-plain-english
 * In a wiki, anyone and everyone gets to decide what will be said (content), how it will be said (organization), and whether it will be said (dissemination).**

**Background articles, information and "how to's" on wikis**
[|Glorified Whiteboard.Edutopia]. Edutopia magazine article focusing on one teacher's exemplary use of wikis in her classroom. [|Big 6 Collaborations and Wikis] An article on how to bring Big 6 projects to life with wikis. [|DeAnza College Wiki Overview] A wiki workshop page from DeAnza Colloege provides an excellent overview of wikis with links to many additional wiki resources and tools. [|Which Wiki is Right for You?] Shonda Brisco of SLJ evaluates three popular wikis: pbwiki, wikispaces, and wetpaint. [|Wiki Matrix] Compare dozens of wikis on a multitude of criteria or do a customized search for the right wiki for your needs.

**Wiki Classroom Examples**
http://meyerisland.wikispaces.com/A+and+W's+writing|Mr. Meyers Fifth Grade Class Wiki] A class web page covering a variety of content areas, collaborative work and student and teacher input. [|Alatoba Class Collaboration] 7th grade classes in Alabama and Manitoba combined on this wiki page. Flat Classroom Collaborative Project Vicky Davis, a Georgia high school teacher, is one of the preeminent wiki using US educators. This is a world wide collaborative project she has developed with her class based on Thomas Friedman's recent book, //The World is Flat//. Inspiring work. Room 217 Classroom wiki for room 217 at Edison Elementary. [|Deer Valley Track Wiki] Here's an interesting example of using a wiki to organize and disseminate information, from the Deer Valley High track team. [|Elementary Math. Patterns] Several elementary classes collaborated on this wiki about patterns. [|How-To Wiki] Okay, you know about Wikipedia, but here's a wiki How-To manual that everyone can write and edit. A wide range of topics: How to run up a wall and flip; How to fold a paper rose; How to solve a Sudoku. This is good stuff! What do YOU know?

**Other Wiki Uses**
[|Wikipedia] Wikipedia is a [|free], [|multilingual] [|encyclopedia] project supported by the [|non-profit][|Wikimedia Foundation]. DPS ILT Workshop Collection of projects developed at an Information Literacy and Technology workshop, January, 2009. [|Faculty Meeting Notes] One person takes notes right in to the wiki at the meeting. Others can easily change any missed or misunderstood details. Notes are online for those who weren't able to attend. [|Faculty Party] Easier than an Evite! DPS Librarian Tool Box Created by Antonio at ERS, this is a new place for DPS librarians to access resources and share and swipe best practices. [|College In Colorado Partner Network Wiki]is up and running for educators and practitioners in postsecondary planning. Open to all...post your best ideas here!

**Free Wiki Websites**
[|PBWiki] An easy-to-use (but graphically limited) site. The host site for this ILT Workshop wiki. [|WetPaint] A fine wiki tool with lots of good templates--visually pleasing and easy to use. It's now advertising-free for education. Wikispaces One of the most popular wiki sites for educators. [|PikiWiki] A relative newcomer, it has good "drag and drop" features for adding and editing photos, videos and sound. Bright, kid-friendly graphics.

Getting Started
[|Wikispaces Tour] This tour from Wikispaces takes you through the steps of creating, using, and customizing a wiki on Wikispaces.