wikigroup

Wikipage for the Wiki Group!

__**What is it (the tool)?**__ A wiki is a website that can be edited, changed and updated by many people. The ability to edit the page can be given to anyone, or it can be limited to a select few. I t's the ultimate place to collaborate online.

Check out this video about wikis: media type="youtube" key="-dnL00TdmLY" height="324" width="443"

__**What type of tool is it?**__ A wiki is mainly a group collaboration tool.

__**What is its purpose?**__

The purpose of a wiki is to have one place that many people can visit and collaborate effectively online. Instead of having multiple emails going at once, it's a general place where people can go to communicate on one topic.. It can be used to present information, provide links, post pictures, comment, embed videos or podcasts, as or as a collaborative tool.

__**Describe how it can be used as a collaborative tool.**__

The fact that many people can come on and add as much as they want to it whenever they want makes it collaborative. There is no need to meet at certain times or places. One person creates the wiki, works on the project and saves their work. The next person can then access the wiki to edit, change, or add to the project. They can create new pages and link to other pages.

__**How can it be used in educationally?**__

It can be used educationally as an online classroom format, since every student could have access to it. It could also be a place that a student go to get widgets such as unit converters, language translations, etc. Wikis allow students to communicate and share ideas, not just with their classmates, but also with their peers in other towns, states, or countries. Each person/class creates something and posts it to the wiki. Then other people can view their work and add to it, creating a global classroom.

Click on the video below to see a wiki used in an English class: media type="youtube" key="1pR5yogCmkA" height="349" width="425"

__**How can it be used as part of a Web-based learning experience? (This tool might be how you publish, present, or organize your learning experience. It could also be part of the learning experience. There are MANY different options!)**__

Wikis themselves could be the place to learn, a place to publish what you've learned, a place to go to for quick resources or references, or a place to talk to other students. A wiki can be the “home page” for a web-based learning experience. Videos, powerpoints, polls, and links to other resources can all be added to a wiki for students to access.

__**Share one good example.**__ http://gettingtrickywithwikis.wikispaces.com/ - this site has great instructions about how to make your wiki look nice, and how to add certain elements such as a table of contents to your wiki!

http://bbimathex.wikispaces.com/ - this site is a good example of functional wiki. The design and layout are easy to follow and use.

[|http://www.flatclassroomproject.org] - a wiki based on Thomas Friedman's book __The World is Flat__. Students collaborate with others across the globe to discuss and research issues such as globalization and outsourcing, virtual communication, and the changing shape of information.

[] - a math teacher created this site for his students to create notes/review for each unit covered in the class. Each student was responsible for a certain unit and they had to post notes, practice test questions, and solutions on the wiki for their classmates to use to study for a major test (such as the PSSA's).

http://atkisshonorsbiology.wikispaces.com/Home - this links to a wiki that Jen used to use with her honors science class. She has since switched to a "sharepoint" website, but this is still a functional wiki. A feature that she liked was the student showcase page. She could post projects of students and have them listen to and comment on each others work for homework.

Jessica- Well done, guys! Useful examples too. Did any of you find out if there was a way to open wiki links in different windows (ha)? Just a little something that grinds my gears about wikispace work. Jen--Hi Jessica, you can open wiki links in a different window. To do so, when in edit mode, click on the "link" button in the tool bar. In the box that comes up, click on the tab across the top that says "external link." Then check the box that says "new window." This will allow your link to be opened in a new window. Great info - this is a very useful tip for users. Thanks!

Jessica- Nice! Thanks, Jen. I knew there had to be an answer for that!

Megan- Has anyone ever used Google Wave? I learned about it awhile ago but don't know many people who use it. It seems like a good way to combing wikis and blogs. media type="youtube" key="p6pgxLaDdQw" height="349" width="560"

Thanks for the Wiki information. My question was about the differences between a wiki and a blog, but it was explained by Dr. Fritz on the blog page. Megan, thanks for the tip about Google Wave. It's so great to learn about new things. Did you have a hard time embedding on your page? I was unable to embed a video, which made me wonder, "What can and cannot be embedded?" Leslie

Megan- Leslie, did you click on "Widget"? It seems like you can embed just about anything as long as you have the right code. You need to click on "Embed" button on Youtube to get the right code.

Can the owner/teacher of the wiki "see" things that the students can't? For example, if there was a power point or video or quiz, can the owner see who watched or participated fully? How much does the teacher know that the students don't?

Wow - that's a lot of great examples! I especially like the FlatClassroomProject! About opening links in a new window - what about in a new tab? All browsers have the capability of working with multiple tabs, and I'd prefer that over having a million windows open, you know? Thanks, Mary