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WIKIS

What is it?

WIKI is short for the Hawaian word "wiki-wiki," which means quick. A wiki is simply a web document that anybody can edit anytime they want. You can have password protected wikis, so only your students can log in, if you want. It is a great tool to get kids to collaboratively write and post information, links, and pictures online.

Most of our students have computers at home- make them use them for someting other than MySpace! No computer? No problem. Have kids write out what they want to share- and either type it in the library, at your computer, or if you have too, type it in yourself.

What Can I Do With It?

You can do just about anything collaboratively using a wiki. In fact, the entire South African High School Curriculum is being built online using a wiki.

An English teacher, for example, might have their students create a persuasive piece of research on a wiki. Other students could then read the wiki, and add links to add to the original students research. They could edit the student's work for grammar, add information, and even pictures and video.

A History teacher could divide the students into groups of 5, and assign each group a WIKI to research and report on a specific battle in history. The teacher could design a template for the kids to fill out, and the kids would actually be creating an online mini-textbook of information that could be added to the next year.

2 (or 3 or 4) Social Studies teachers might want to create a wiki together to use to create lesson plans and share resources. They'd never have to be forced into a common planning time to share.

Examples of WIKIS

1. WIKIPEDIA (the most famous wiki of 'em all!)
2. Mrs. Tressler's Anne Frank WIKI
3. Mrs. Schick's Anne Frank WIKI
4. Mrs. Spitler's WIKI
5. Paul Allison at East Side Community High School has 100 students who are creating collaborative writing entries on everything from bulimia to basketball.
6. AP World History WIKI Project

How Can I Get One?

Practice on PBWIKI. It stands for Peanut Butter WIKI, because it is as easy to put together as a peanut butter sandwich.

WIKIA Central