Wikis

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**Wikis**
Wikis are web pages that can be edited by anyone who has access to them. This allows for collaboration and communication between participants. The most widely known use of the Wiki format is [|Wikipedia], the online encyclopedia that is continually edited by thousands of people around the world. A wiki is more than a web page, it's a place to collaborate and share learning. This video from Common Craft's Lee Lefever explains it best: media type="custom" key="4243539"

The service used to create this wiki is Wikispaces, a wonderful tool with an easy to use interface, that is very appealing to teachers and students. Wikispaces gives educators the ability to choose protected, private, ad-free spaces for free. You can get a f[|ree educator Wikispace]. Wikispaces has [|quick tours] to help you get started using your wiki.

Other free wiki hosts are [|PBWorks] and [|WetPaint].

Wiki Resources
Because of the collaborative nature of wikis, many educators have worked together to create rich resources on using wikis in the classroom. Educational Wikis is a comprehensive wikispace of resources, and is open for editing by all.

To learn more how to use wikis in the classroom, visit these outstanding presentations on Wikis at the K-12 Online Conference:
 * An introduction to wikis, called [|Wiki While You Work] by Mark Wagner, is a great way to learn about wikis and how they can be used in the classroom.
 * Wiki Collaboration Across the Curriculum by Vicki Davis. Vicki is well known for her outstanding work with students using Wikis at Westwood Wiki. This presentation includes an very informative video on how to use wikis, as well as supporting documents that can be used in the classroom.

Sample Education Wikis
The Flat Classroom Wiki An exemplary classroom project between students in many countries who come together to collaborate on a project. Arbor Heights Elementary School Web Page by Mark Ahlness Armstrong US History Site - from a school in Korea Westwood Wiki by secondary students at Westwood High School by Vicki Davis

Additional Resources on WIkis
My bookmarked resources on Del.icio.us with the tag "wiki" rss url="http://del.icio.us/rss/district6/wiki" link="true" description="true" number="10"