1. Wikis in your Business Class
Al Samsa
2009 OBEA Spring Conference
April 24, 2009

2. What is a Wiki?
A wiki is a collection of Web pages
designed to enable anyone who accesses
it to contribute or modify content, using a
simplified markup language.
- Wikipedia

3. Why use a Wiki?
• Alternative to posters, presentation,
powerpoints, etc.
• Easy to insert images, videos, graphs, etc.
• Great for collaboration
• Discussion threads help learning

4. Wiki Ideas
• Class Project
 http://globalethics.wetpaint.com/

5. Wiki Ideas
• Class Project
 http://internationaldebtcrisis.wikispaces.com/

6. Wiki Ideas
• Course or Class Site
 http://btt1o1.wikispaces.com/

7. Wiki Ideas
• Department Site
 http://ridgebiz.wetpaint.com/

8. Wiki Ideas
• School Site
 http://irhs.wetpaint.com/

9. Wiki Sites
• Wetpaint
 Attractive Templates
 Discussion threads on each page
 Upgrade to no ads if education site
 Four levels of membership
• Wikispaces
 Two level membership
 Email to remove ads
• PB Wiki

10. Getting Started
• Create a suitable site name
• Create a descriptive front page
• Allow members to join or invite
• Invite or Limit number of discussion
questions but promote entries

11. Adding Content (Wetpaint)
• Add new page (add tags, template or
blank)
• Hint: check level, e.g., under home page
• Click

12. Layouts
• Two column great for links

13. Widgets

14. YouTube Video
or

15. Page Tools
or link to files on another
site or webpage

16. Track Changes

17. Suggestions
• Require Works CitedBibliography in
proper format at bottom of every student
page
 Join bibme.org
• Upload PowerPoints to a
site, e.g., slideshare.net, then link to
embedded ppt in wiki
• Identifiable student names, e.g., johnr or
• Page name as group name, e.g., planning

18. Helpful Links
• Tips for a successful (Wetpaint) site:
 http://www.wetpaintcentral.com/page/Tips+for
+A+Successful+Site
• Tip of the day archives for Wetpaint
 http://www.wetpaintcentral.com/page/Tip+of+t
he+Day+Archives
• Consider Edu20.org for the whole class
experience