Wikis

What are Wikis?
Wikis are websites that are easily editable by multiple users. The word "wiki" comes from the Hawaiian for "quick", and that's what makes this a feasible technology to integrate into teaching - using wikis is quick, easy, and requires only a web browser and Internet access from the user.

Key Benefits of Wikis
The two key terms to remember with regard to wikis are **collaboration** and **audience**. Wikis provide a very user-friendly method by which to engender collaboration and draw upon the combined strength of a collective group. Wikis can then be shared with an audience, either very focused or broad.

The implications for not only the classroom but also for personal research and professional development are staggering. Wikis, along with other forms of Internet-based communication, make global collaboration and communication not only possible, but feasible for many.

Four Major Components

 * Page -** The "meat" of the wiki; primary content
 * Discussion -** Message board for discussion of primary content
 * History -** Archive of all previous versions of the current page
 * Notify Me** - Track changes on a page or space/site via email or RSS

Where to Wiki?
The three biggest names in education-related wikis are:

[|Wikispaces] [|PBWiki] [|Wetpaint]

Most teachers I know (myself included) tend to lean toward Wikispaces, both for their ease of use and early attempts to reach out to educators. To compare over 100 different wiki providers at a glance, check out [|Wikimatrix.org].

HolocaustTrip NJASCD-Wikis TeachingEveryStudent [|Online Professional Portfolio]

Tier 2 Wikis
[|Wikipedia] [|PsychWiki] Eduwiki.us Educon 2.0 [|EduBloggerCon] Keystone Summit 2007 Teacher Prep Course Wiki [|Hunterdon Central Special Services Wiki] WA State Board for Community & Technical Colleges

Your Assignment

 * Visit some of the wikis provided in the sample list and have a look around
 * Consider both the pros and cons of using wikis for creating PD resources
 * Critique the wikis you visit:
 * What elements do you think are or would be most helpful or useful? Please refer to specific examples.
 * What are some specific distractions, disadvantages, or other areas for improvement on the sites you visited? Again, please provide examples.

Further Reading & Viewing
Bariexca, Damian. "Wikis, Wikis, Everywhere", ETTC course companion wiki Lawrence, Sam. [|"Wikis: The Pink Plastic Tasting Spoon!"]//,// //Go Big Always// Moon, Bisma. [|"Wikispaces Connecting Teachers, Students, and Parents"], Wikispaces blog

//**Wikis in Plain English**//, by Lee LeFever, The CommonCraft Show media type="youtube" key="-dnL00TdmLY&hl=en" height="344" width="425"