Slide deck used for Wikis in the Classroom workshop; full details available at: http://pwoessner.wikispaces.com/Wikis+in+the+Classroom

1. Wikis in the classroom Patrick Woessner MICDS Summer Teacher Institute 2010 http://pwoessner.wikispaces.com/Wikis+in+the+Classroom

2. Workshop Agenda Why Wikis Cooperative Learning Project Based Learning Authentic Assessment Classroom Examples Type -- Tool -- Task Compare and Create Wikispaces Media Wiki PBworks Assessing Wikis Q and A Image Source: http://spacewithapurpose.wikispaces.com/Wikis+Home

3. Why Wikis in the classroom? Support group projects/group authoring Greater accountability Connect students and facilitate peer review Synchronous and asynchronous communication Organize and distribute resources Class page/project website Showcase student work Control access Provide timely feedback Makes learning transparent Image Source: http://www.jeffstanger.net/blog/

4. Why Wikis?: Cooperative Learning Cooperative Learning is a relationship in a group of students that requires positive interdependence (a sense of sink or swim together), individual accountability (each of us has to contribute and learn), interpersonal skills (communication, trust, leadership, decision making, and conflict resolution), face-to-face promotive interaction, and processing (reflecting on how well the team is functioning and how to function even better). Text Source: http://www.co-operation.org/ Image Source: http://www.worksheetlibrary.com/teachingtips/imagecoopgif.gif

5. Why Wikis: Project Based Learning Project Based Learning is an instructional approach built upon authentic learning activities that engage student interest and motivation. These activities are designed to answer a question or solve a problem and generally reflect the types of learning and work people do in the everyday world outside the classroom. Text Source: http://pbl-online.org/ Image Source: http://www.profoundlearning.com/Content/EducationSolutions/projectBasedLearning.jpg

6. Why Wikis: Authentic Assessment Authentic Assessment provides engaging and worthy problems or questions of importance, in which students must use knowledge to fashion performances effectively and creatively. The tasks are either replicas of or analogous to the kinds of problems faced by adult citizens and consumers or professionals in the field. Text Source: Wiggins, 1993, p. 229 Image Source: http://a100educationalpolicy.pbworks.com/f/1260216782/bigpuzpic.gif

7. Benefits to students Opportunities for collaboration Learn to work together Learn from each other Engage every student Everyone participates/contributes Extends the learning environment Resources always available Improves organization Provides cohesion to the learning experience Image Source: http://sciencenotes.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/wiki_web_c-by-andrew-weldon.jpg

8. Wikis in Plain english

9. 2nd Grade: Winter Olympics Type: Class Project Tool: Wikispaces Task: Class created their own Olympic torch and attempted a “virtual” torch relay. Their goal was to see if they could get their torch to all five regions represented by the Olympic rings. URL: http://globetrotters.wikispaces.com/Winter+Olympics

10. 5th Grade Geography: Geo-Squirts Type: Class Page Tool: Wikispaces Task: Teacher-managed portal for collaborative projects with other schools; also serves as a showcase for student work. URL: http://geo-squirts-usa.wikispaces.com/

11. 6th Grade History: Rome and China Type: Project Wiki Tool: Wikispaces Task: Students individually researched a question related to Han China and Imperial Rome. Findings were shared on the wiki and the activity culminated in an oral presentation. URL: http://romeandchina.wikispaces.com/

12. 7th Grade Science: Evolution Type: Project Wiki Tool: MediaWiki Task: Students (working alone or in pairs) chose one of three questions to research and used the wiki to organize their findings. Final product was an image-based presentation. URL: http://wiki.micds.org/wiki/The_Evolution_Project

13. 7th Grade English: Animal Farm Type: Project Wiki Tool: MediaWiki Task: Students worked in small groups and completed several tasks that would enable them to teach two chapters of Animal Farm to their peers. URL: http://wiki.micds.org/wiki/Animal_Farm

14. 8th Grade English: Single Scene Play Type: Project Tool: MediaWiki Task: Working in small groups, students wrote a single scene play that included cast descriptions, stage directions, and dialog. URL: http://tinyurl.com/wikiplay

15. 9th Grade English: Survivor Island Type: Project Tool: Pbworks Task: Transform “Lord of the Flies” into a cooperative learning experience where groups of students are “stranded” on an island and survival is the goal. URL: http://lordofsurvival.pbworks.com/

16. AP Calculus: Solution Manual Type: Student Resource Tool: Pbworks Task: Students help each other learn by writing a collaborative solutions manual that includes a detailed annotation of the steps involved. URL: http://apcalc2008.pbworks.com/

17. Advanced Chemistry: Lab Report Type: Project Tool: MediaWiki Task: Students published their lab reports and included statements of contribution and concurrence. Note use of tables and formulas. URL: http://tinyurl.com/micdschemlab

18. Global Issues: Wiki Books Type: Wiki Book Tool: MediaWiki Task: Student groups researched and shared aspects of a global issue for different regions of the world. Final product was a “book” on the topic of study. URL: http://wiki.micds.org/book/Main_Page/Global_Issues

19. Using Wikis: so easy a mouse can do it Image Source: http://www.funnytimes.com/playground/img/123470786525169.png

20. Getting Started: WIKISPACES Wikispaces provides ad-free wikis for K-12 use at no cost. Wikispaces Private Label provides additional services and levels of control for an annual fee

21. Getting Started: WIKISPACES Strengths: Very easy to customize, edit, and manage Video, audio, calendars, documents, and more can be added via Widgets without knowledge of HTML All Wikispaces you own or to which you belong can be accessed and managed from one central location Limitations: Does not support page sections like Mediawiki; only one person can edit a page at any given time Hosted by Wikispaces; convenient but your data is on someone else’s server

22. Getting Started: MEDIAWIKI Mediawikiis free and powerful; Wikipedia is built on the Mediawiki platform Can be hosted locally or through a hosting service

23. Getting Started: MEDIAWIKI Strengths: Supports page sections for multi-user page editing Local hosting provides complete control over users and data Features like the Book Creation Tool and <ref tag are well suited for student research Limitations: Requires knowledge of wiki syntax Design options rather limited; multi-media can be challenging to include on a page

24. Getting started: PBWORKS PBworksoffers Basic, Classroom, and Campus editions of their wiki service for K-12 educators Hosting is provided and upgrading service allows for greater flexibility and control

25. Getting Started: PBWORKS Strengths: Folder structure allows for easy file management Almost any online tool with an embed code can be used in PBworks. Classroom and Campus Editions are less expensive than Wikispaces Private Label Limitations: No discussion tab; requires posting threaded comments which are visible on main page Hosted by Pbworks; convenient but your data is on someone else’s server

26. A word about permissions Wikis can be public or private If public, students should not share personal information If private, you control who can edit and view Important pages should be locked from editing

27. Assessing Wikis Process is as important as Product Utilize History, in-class observations, & peer review Read-Write-Think offers a 5 category wiki rubric: Content Organization Attractiveness Contribution to the Group Accuracy Tools like Rubistar and iRubric can greatly aid the rubric creation process and allow for easy collaboration among teachers.

29. Questions? Visit the workshop wiki for more information at http://pwoessner.wikispaces.com/Wikis+in+the+Classroom Feel free to play in our sandbox wiki at http://micdssandbox.wikispaces.com/ Contact me directly at pwoessner@micds.org