Using Wikis to support Teaching & Learning :Using Wikis to support Teaching & Learning James Harrison & Stu Lowe Beacon Hill School


Purpose of today: :Purpose of today: To learn what wikis are To learn how wikis can support teaching and learning To learn how to start a wiki To try out a wiki


What IS a wiki? :What IS a wiki? A tool which can be used to create simple web pages that groups and friends can work on and edit together


What IS a wiki? :What IS a wiki?


The biggest wiki…Wikipedia.org :The biggest wiki…Wikipedia.org


The biggest wiki… :The biggest wiki…


So WHY use a wiki? :So WHY use a wiki?


Annette Lamb and Larry JohnsonSchool Library Media Activities Monthly, April 2009 :‘Wiki projects help young people shift from being consumers of the Internet to creators on the Web’ Annette Lamb and Larry JohnsonSchool Library Media Activities Monthly, April 2009


Read / Write web….Will Richardson :Read / Write web….Will Richardson


What are some BENEFITS? :What are some BENEFITS? Collaborative – create a sense of community Accessible outside classroom walls Allow students to share their findings Everyone’s ‘got a voice’ Build an online archive of class / group activities Connects learning in class with independent learning at home


Using a wiki warranty :Using a wiki warranty


What is available? :What is available? www.wikispaces.com/site/for/teachers


Some ideas of ways wikis can be used… :Some ideas of ways wikis can be used… Collaborate as a class as they research Build on their own ideas Collaborative storytelling As a central storage space Peer editing and reviewing Project / inquiry planning Within / between classes With parents / among schools


The inquiry process… :The inquiry process… Wikis encourage learners to think about how information can be organised They used a wiki to organise and synthesise information during the inquiry process http://csi.wikispaces.com


Wikispaces.com :Wikispaces.com Features We are going to look at the following features: introduction: setting up a Wikispace overview and using the edit toolbar setting up new pages adding images adding links adding YouTube videos look and feel of your Wikispace


Creating a wikispace... :Creating a wikispace...


Create a Wikispaces account :Create a Wikispaces account http://www.wikispaces.com/site/for/teachers


Creating users :Creating users Up to 100 accounts in bulk.


Editing a page… :Editing a page… Colour & style Headings (ToC) Add / Remove link Add image or file Add widget Save


Make a new page… :Make a new page…


Discussion tools… :Discussion tools… provide feedback note a connection explain changes that have been made to a page


History functions… :History functions… Contributions and comments made by each student can be viewed Additions and changes can be tracked


Permissions… :Permissions…


VoiceThread :VoiceThread


Editing your Wikispace :Editing your Wikispace http://esfcpd.wikispaces.com/


Stu – his experiences :Stu – his experiences


What makes a successful wiki? :What makes a successful wiki? Unique content – not recreating Structure ‘big picture’ AND elements / wood AND the trees shared in an appealing and organised way Agreed consistent structure Flexibility – begin incomplete Synergy – working together toward joint goal often more comprehensive results Enthusiasm – questioning Provide time IN school Use of online tools, embedded


Now… :Now… Explore ESF CPD wiki Create own wiki account Try out Google sites