WIKI TOOLS FOR SCHOOLS Wikis provide opportunities for students to collaborate with other students, share what
they have learned, and become a centralized online resource for educators.
Wikis are one of the easiest Web 2.0 applications on the Internet to use, no downloading of
software required and works just like a word processing program. The use of this technological
tool has grown tremendously in the past years. They are free for educators, advertisement free,
and have controlled access to ensure student information remains private.
Just because a teacher builds a Wiki, does not mean that it will automatically engage students in
learning. Planning for integration of Wikis requires rethinking teaching strategies and techniques
to take advantage of their full potential.
Here are some possible examples of how Wikis can be used in the classroom.
1.
Collaborative Projects using Wikis . This technology tool is ideal for project-based learning,
cross curricular projects in middle school teams, and thematic units. One advantage of Wikis in
collaborative projects is that they are online.
Students with access to the Internet outside of school can work together to complete projects
without having to be in school. Also, just like none Wiki projects; defining roles and clearly
defining the activity, along with assessments are crucial to the success of collaborative learning
projects using this strategy.
2.
Students Demonstration of Knowledge . Students provide information that fits within
specific parameters on the Wiki to demonstrate what they have learned. One example is when
students create original work that fits within the ABC format.
One page is designated for each letter of the alphabet and students submit written work and
pictures (citing sources) to explain what they just learned in a social studies, math, English, or
science unit. A second example is when students create a timeline of Kazakhstan historical
events from 1991 to 2012.
3.