This document discusses creating a class website and online identity using Wikispaces. It notes that a class website can engage parents, students, and teachers by sharing information, assignments, and updates online. Wikispaces is recommended for building a class website because it is free, web-based, simple to use, and allows for easy integration of sources and creation of student accounts without email. The document provides an overview of how to set up and customize a Wikispaces website, including editing pages, adding elements, managing the site, and adding and assessing users. It demonstrates creating a sample class website on Wikispaces to showcase how easy it is to use.

1. Chris Casal
Technology Coordinator/Teacher
P. S. 10 Brooklyn (15K010)
ccasal@ps10.org
Twitter: @mr_casal
Build a Class Website &
Create a Class Identity
Simple K12.com webinar - 7/8/13
Monday, July 8, 13

2. Class Identity
Room
Grade
Teacher
Roster
But isn’t it more than just that?
How do you share, showcase & engage “more” in
2013?
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3. Class Website
Identity & community around something 24/7
Parents, students & teacher engaged
Posting information, assignments, updates engages the
teacher
The opportunity to feel involved or “in touch” engages the
parents
Resources & work posted takes the class beyond the room
and engages the students
Monday, July 8, 13

4. Why a web identity?
We live in a time of tweeting, email, smartphones,
texting, blogging...
Imperative to keep current with technology
Keeping up with our students while helping them
keep pace with technology
Working in a modern environment other than the
classroom
Take your classroom beyond the walls in a definitive
way
Monday, July 8, 13

5. What would I use it for?
Possibilities limited only by desire & commitment
single page to full site
general information to detailed information
online writing assignments
blogs, shared documents, collaborative page
resources, how-to’s, rubrics, lessons, study guides
Monday, July 8, 13

6. Options
Countless applications for building a website
Some are free, some cost $$$
Some are web-based - everything done via a browser
Wikispaces, Google Sites, Blogger, Wordpress,
Weebly, Wix, etc
Some are software based - create on PC, upload to
server
Dreamweaver, iWeb, etc
Monday, July 8, 13

7. What is a wiki?
Wikipedia is the most famous
Wiki is a style & platform, not a brand
is a website whose users can add, modify, or delete
its content via a web browser using a simplified
markup language or a rich-text editor. Wikis are
typically powered by wiki software and are often used
collaboratively by multiple users.
(yes, I took that from Wikipedia)
Monday, July 8, 13

8. Background Context
I’m ridiculous
I have active sites on
Google Sites - mrcasal.com
Blogger - mrcasal.blogspot.com &
thecasalos.blogpsot.com
Wordpress - mrcasal.wordpress.com
Wikispaces - mrcasal.wikispaces.com &
ps10ipads.wikispaces.com
...I spend a lot of
time playing with
platforms...
Monday, July 8, 13

9. Why Wikispaces?
Free
Web-based
Simplicity of use
easy to sign up, set up, use & improve
Ability to easily integrate sources such as Google
Ability to create student accounts for
access without email & create “social”
platform
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10. http://www.wikispaces.com/content/for/teachers
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11. Editing is a easy
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12. Add elements
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13. Great site management
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14. Add users
Custom names
No need for email
Teacher control/management
Allow students to edit & contribute
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15. Adding users
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16. “Classroom” look
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17. Create “teams” & “projects”
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18. Assess
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19. Lets build one...
http://simplek12webinar.wikispaces.com/
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20. It’s just that easy...
a Hawaiian word meaning "fast" or "quick"
For the history buffs:
http://c2.com/doc/etymology.html
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21. My colleagues*
http://www.ps10.org/about/staff-directory
A selection:
http://ps10class5405.wikispaces.com/
https://ps10mrsthomas.wikispaces.com/
http://ps10class407.wikispaces.com/
http://msmorrisonps10.wikispaces.com/
Private - http://mskertesz.wikispaces.com
*All of these sites are school specific and do not accept memberships from individuals
outside our school community - feel free to view, but please do not request membership
Monday, July 8, 13

22. Summary
Imperative to have a professional/class on-line space
Connect & engage
Plenty of free platforms
Wikispaces provides a wide range of options &
support, geared toward education & is very easy to use
Monday, July 8, 13

23. Contact
Christopher M. Casal
Technology Teacher/Coordinator
P. S. 10 (15K010)
Email: ccasal@ps10.org
Twitter: @mr_casal
Diigo: mrcasal
ps10ipads.wikispaces.com
www.mrcasal.com
Monday, July 8, 13