home

Alla Fletcher

 * 1) ===== There are many different ways that Wikis can be used in the classroom. One of the ways a Wiki could be used is as a suggestion box. This would be great for students in middle school to high school because they are mature enough to use a computer independently and they have enough experience to know what kinds of activities help them learn. With a “Suggestion Wiki” students would have the ability to post more than just what kinds of activities they would like to do in class. Their suggestions could include posting their ideas on why they liked or did not like certain activities and their opinions on the activities that really helped them learn. The teacher could also post an idea they have about an activity on the Wiki and the students could vote on whether or not they think that activity would help them. =====
 * 2) ===== [|I went to Wikipedia to get more information on Wikis!] =====

[[image:http://connectedlearning.globalteacher.org.au/files/2008/08/wiki.png width="368" height="317"]]
4. Cunningham, A. (n.d.). //Taming The Web//. Retrieved October 2010, from [] _

Kali Dowis
====

1. My idea about using wiki in the classroom would be to post things about current topics in the news. I believe no matter what grade level i plan to teach, knowing whats going on in our country is very important. I would like to post current topics, and have them share their thoughts, and even get them to talk about it with family members or friends. If i teach a younger grade i can translate an article so it would be easier for them to understand. This exercise can be useful in a social and educational way. ==

2. This link is a good site to get an idea of what other teachers or people like us use wiki for. http://educationalwikis.wikispaces.com/Examples+of+educational+wikis

3.

[]====

=

 * As you know, Wikis are an excellent way for groups to work collaboratively. In this exercise, I would like you all to share your ideas on how a Wiki could be used in your grade or curriculum. I know many of you are planning on teaching at the younger grade levels, but please post an idea. Use the online Help and experiment!**======

=

 * Please post something below and put your name at the top of your section so we know who posted and so I can give you credit! Use the horizontal rule at the top to help divide the postings (button on the left of the Link button after you click Edit).**======

=

 * Did you know the name Wiki was taken from the Hawaiian word Wiki-Wiki for //very fast//? Now for those of you who rode the Wiki-Wiki shuttle below at the airport.....how did you like it? If you ask me, I prefer a leisure walk!**======

=
When reading about Wiki's, I realized that many of the wiki's and wiki ideas were geared toward students in secondary education. As an aspiring elementary school teacher, I wanted to do something that students in elementary school could participate in. I did some research online and came across an idea to do a Multi-Author Story. For this Wiki, I would start off by creating a story about a character and some events that happened to him. I would leave the story open-ended, and the students would need to add their own thoughts to help and finish the story. I thought that this was a good way to have students participate in the wiki because it allows them to be creative and feed off of other student's creativity to finish the story. ======

=
Through my research with wiki for this project, I have found that a lot of the activities are geared for secondary education but there were some good ideas for elementary students as well. Since my targeted age group is kindergarten, the ideas were even more limited. There was one idea that I would like to use and expand on. The idea mentioned in my source was to create a kindergarten counting book. This idea had the number demonstrated like this: One 1 and then a picture of one thing. This went on with the goal of reaching one hundred. I think it would be neat to create a kindergarten reading book. Teaching students various words supplemented with a picture. This offers a reference book for them as well as something fun the class can create together. I know that this age level is perfectly capable of using computers with little assistance. It is amazing how sometimes the students know about computers.======

=
1. I think that Wikis sound like they could be very beneficial to schools. I read about the private label wikispaces in the Birmingham public schools. The things that they did with it were really neat. It seems like it spread like wildfire. I like that with creativity you can make it into just about anything you want. In the third grade, they said they used wikis for a science lesson on sound in a Birmingham school. The teachers provided tech skills training on an as-needed basis and through a combination of mini lessons, exploration, problem-solving challenges, and group discussions to teach the students through wikispaces.======

=
//Birmingham Public Schools.// (n.d.). Retrieved 10 12, 2010, from Wikispaces: http://www.wikispaces.com/site/privatelabel/case-study-bps ======

=
1) I had always considered teaching secondary education so I might actually use this idea in the future. Before writing on this wiki, I checked out other wikis around the web. Most of the ones I found started off as someone asking a question and others responding to it with their ideas and opinions. My idea on how to use a wiki in a classroom was more for math teachers. First the teacher would post a math problem relating to the material they went over in class. Then a student would sign in and solve that problem. Once they solve the first problem, they then create their own problem and post it. The next student to sign on would solve their classmate’s problem and then make their own problem. This would continue until all the students have solved and created a problem. The teacher would solve the last problem, posted by a student.======

=
1. WIth wanting to teach the lower grades of elementary school, having wiki's with my students wouldn't really work, however if I was to decide to teach higher grades they would be very beneficial. Also, the wikis are a good way to keep parents and family members update on projects in your classroom and different activities and field trips you have gone on. The wiki I previewed was for an elementary school. It had upcoming events that the school was having, the school schedule, and other important items that parents and students both would need to know. I think this is a good idea to have because parents can still be involved and will know whats going on. Also, if a teacher or parent needs to add something they can!======

=
1. While reading the section on the Wiki's, I found it to be very fascinating about how many different things that you could do with a Wiki. Also, that there were many sites that dealt with the concept of the Wiki such as Wikipedia, wikitravel, wikijunior, and so forth. Like shawna said, most of the activities are directed more towards older grades, it is also possible to focus it on the younger grades. The idea for using a Wiki in my classroom is somewhat similar to shawna's idea but with a slight twist. I would read all the students the same book, but stop before I come to the ending. I would then set up a Wiki for them to write their own ideas about how they think the story will end. Each student will write down their own ideas and comment on each others endings. By doing this, I can see if the students were listening to the story and see their creativity shine as they come up with their own endings to the story.======

=
For 3-5 graders teachers can makeup or find ways to use wiki in their lesson plans. I think for the most part children will enjoy using it. One way you can get students involved is by making a “Fan club” after learning about different author(s), poets, and different types of books. The students can write summaries of their favorite author and explain why they like them. Using Wiki makes it so all kids can see what each other is doing and can asks them question or respond to them by using wiki. But as you know there are many others activates that you can get your student involved in. Students can make their own profile and discuss what is important to them and show graphs, movies, clips, drawling, anything that helps them express themselves. ======

=
I think Wikis are a great tool to use in any classroom, and for any grade level. Like my classmates have posted above, most Wiki uses are aimed at secondary education but I have found quite a few ideas on how to use it for elementary school. I came across a Wiki created by a 2nd/3rd grade teacher, and maintained by the 2nd and 3rd grade students. This Wiki is entitled "The World is Our Classroom". Basically this wiki contains various subject areas and then the content of each subject's page is filled by the students and what they learn about their world. I think this is a great idea because it requires that the students be actively involved in the world around them and I think it will really get them interested in learning. Knowing that someone else will be reading their ideas excites young students and I think a Wiki is the perfect way to go about that because it allows them to share their ideas with the rest of the world. Wikis are so easy to use and I love the video about Wikis posted on our ecollege website because it explains how to use them so simply! Anybody can do it and I think its simplicity makes it easy for young students to work with it as well as older students! Wikis seem fun and as long as the teacher monitors them I feel that they could be a great addition to any learning activity! ======

I really love the freedom and infinite possibilities in education wikis provide. You can organize wikis to be utilized for any purpose you like. In education, wikis can be used:

 * 1) ======In collaborative projects and activities======
 * 2) ======To display and demonstrate student knowledge======
 * 3) ======To compile online resources======
 * 4) ======As a school or classroom webpage======
 * 5) ======To supplement another wiki, storing documents, images and links included in a wiki space======

=
I think a great way to integrate the use of wikis in the classroom curriculum could be for themed units. For example, if students were learning about plants, a wiki (maybe connected to the classroom wiki) could be divided into the following sections"======
 * 1) ======My observations (Students can document their observations about the growth of a plant, using daily entries and uploading photos of their plants.) Students can conduct simple experiments altering different factors that may impact the growth of their plants.======
 * 2) ======Parts of a plant (Students can scan and upload illustrations of the parts of a plant.)======
 * 3) ======Stories/Poems about plants (Students can post/edit/publish collaborative or individually authored stories and poems about plants======
 * 4) ======Resources (Students/the teacher can provide links to online resources such as interactive websites, videos or list citations for books about plants.)======

=
There are so many things you can do with wikis. The best thing to do is to start small and gradually add on to your wiki. It is also crucial that you, the teacher set up rules and routines to manage the way students work on the wiki.======

** Catelin Aiwohi **
I like the idea of using a wiki to create a project where students create their own version of Wikipedia. You can use this on whatever subject or concept that you are class is focusing on. Instead of writing a formal essay, students create what looks like their own Wikipedia page and they write as much as they possible can about the subject, explaining it in depth as if the reader knew nothing about the subject. I think that this wiki project would be great to use as a substitute for a History or Science Paper. http://wikisineducation.wetpa int.com/page/How+we+use+wikis+in+class?t=anon

Citation: http://wikisineducation.wetpa int.com/page/How+we+use+wikis+in+class?t=anon


 * Annie Williams**

I plan to teach at the kindergarten level, so at this time, I don't think that my students would get any use out of using a Wiki. I do, however, like the idea of having the parents use this as a discussion forum for things that we are doing in the classroom. I believe that parents aren't involved enough in communicating with teachers anymore, or with what they are doing in the classroom. With a wiki, I believe that the lines of communication can be opened, as well feedback being possible for other parents that share the same concerns. In my opinion, raising and teaching five and six year olds should never be a singular effort. I think that it should be a combined effort of parents, teachers, and peers.

FInd more info: http://www.schoolfamily.com/school-family-articles/article/862-kindergarten-social-changes-what-to-expect

[[image:http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/SOM/Explore-Catalog.jpg]]
http://www.schoolfamily.com/school-family-articles/category/240-communicating-With-the-teacher?limit=all


 * Jamie Higa **

1. I think that using wikis are a good for doing creative activities and to integrate technology in education. The site that I was looking at, was based on the KatiKati Primary School's Room 25. They used this Wiki to keep parents and students updated on the latest news in the classroom. The latest post by the teacher explains that their class was awarded funds to go towards iPads and the iPod Touch. He says, "This means our class will be even better equipped to do 21st century learning!" This school is very aware of the "demand" to use technology. This class does homework assignments on the WIki, they watch videos and have discussions about it, and keep the latest news posted and are only ages nine to ten. The teacher says, "The purpose of this site is to provide a place where we can download and upload information, to chat to fellow students in a safe environment, as well as to help students showcase examples of their work for  others to view." 2. http://kkps-r25.wikispaces.com/ 3. Room 25 at KatiKati Primary School 4. McLean, H. (2010). //KatiKati Primary School- Room 25.// Retrieved //October 16, 2010.// Wiki: http://kkps-r25.wikispaces.com/

Savanah Benton I think the video in wiki in plain English is very helpful for anyone new to a wiki. The great thing about wiki's is that everyone can use this source of technology because it's user friendly also for any grade level. For elementary students, a teacher can come up with a sentence or two on a story and the students would be allowed to do a paragraph or two to continue the story. This would be a great way for students creativity when they can add a picture which gets students involved in their learning because they can read what other classmates put too. Also this would a good way for teachers to show students that written paragraphs and type paragraphs are different. ( for teachers introducing paragraphs to their students) Wiki's would be helpful to majority of students to create a study group because students have different schedules instead of trying to schedule to meet together the students can collaborate together online. They can also go back to the wiki page and study off their group discussion which can be helpful to get ideas to do a research paper as well.

http://educationaltechnology222.wikispaces.com

http://abpc.wikispaces.com/More+Wikis

Kristi Gegax Wiki spaces can be extremely useful for classrooms. A lot of times children zone out or perhaps aren't even physically present and miss what is going on. If a wiki space were incorporated for the weeks lessons than the children would have a place to reference and serve as a guide in case they had any questions. I am sure we have all been at one time or another, in a class where you ask your neighbor what the assignment was and he/she has no idea or does not know the specifics and after asking several people, you find that it was just unclear to begin with. Sometimes this is the day before it is due and then everyone is stressing out and basically screwed. Having a wiki would surely clear up any uncertainty. As for the teacher she/he would be able to not let anything slide because all of the information is in writing and if anyone had problems they could just post their issue in order to have it resolved. After learning about this little information of technology, I am definitely a believer. www.google.com/omgres?imjur=http://hillsboroughparents.com

Chelsey Fontes

Wiki’s, as you know, are an excellent tool to use when trying to get your students to join together and gain knowledge off of each other. Wiki’s are designed so that they can be edited, allowing its participants to see different views of the subject. I searched on wikipages and found a site that gives a possible lesson plan for a book reflection and found it pretty interesting. Not only are Wiki’s useful for students, but they can be used by teachers as well. For my curriculum, I would consider creating a wikipage for my students to edit and reflect on a book I assigned them to read in class. This way they can report their opinions and see what other students thought as well right away.

[] This is a good example of a site for teachers.  http://plcwest.wikispaces.com/Second+Grade+Main+Idea+Lesson



Aaron Barcellos

1. I think that wiki’s can be used in the classroom in a very beneficial way. Teachers can use wiki’s in correlation with a research project. They can be given a top and pointed towards a wiki that contained information on the topic. They can then look at that information and confirm or edit any misinformation. This will give them a better understanding of the topic because they will be learning all the known facts and discrediting any information that is untrue. Teachers can also put up their own wiki on a topic that contains true information and untrue information. It would be the students responsibility to check the information and either edit it or confirm its legitimacy.

2. []

3.

4. O'Neal, C. (2006). Using wikipedia in the classroom: a good starting point. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/using-wikipedia-classroom