Wikis, What?



By: Megan Haddad

 

Created with CAST's UDL Book Builder


What's a Wiki you say?

  • Wiki's are websites that are created, used, and maintained by a group of people in a collaborative style
  • Anyone can have access to it to add documents, pictures, links, discuss, etc.
  • Anyone with access to it can also edit others' information
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Working within grade level teams at your schools is something that administrators always expect and strive for. The creation of lesson plans, the development of curriculum, the sharing of ideas and documents, and so many other benefits of collaboration can be organized and easily accessible to ALL teachers within a team through the use of Wiki's.

 

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Want to incorporate a wiki for your classroom/student use?

Have a class wiki that the students can access where they can discuss, collaborate with one another, access documents, access links, study, and post finalized work for the class to view.

This could also be an amazing tool for parents to have access to in order to keep up on what their students are working on in  class!

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You can even create wiki's for school wide use! Stay in touch with all of the grade level teachers throughout the school. Be in the know for specific past information the students were exposed to as well as what the specific needs of future grades may way you to know! Also keep a school discussion board noting future dates and events!

At a district level, wiki's can be implemented and maintained for community outreach, discussion, teacher collaboration with district workers, and maintain communication with teachers from other schools!


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Through the multiple ways that wiki's can be used and incorporated, teachers have more outlets for students to be able to ue higher-order thinking skills. Wiki's provide for language and comprehension of new programs, documentation, and collaboration within an online community that will help educators grow as well as students. Users can physically manipulate through the site while they explore all its capabilities and functions. All while creating interest and conducting self-regulation.


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Best of all... do you have internet access and a Google account? YOU CAN CREATE AND MANAGE WIKI'S FOR FREE!


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Turn to your grade level teammates and use some higher order thinking skills to think about and answer these questions.

  1. How can the use of wiki's help you create critical thinkers in your grade level?
  2. How can the use of wiki's help to teach your students how to evaluate ideas?
  3. How do you think the use of wiki's will benefit your overall teaching?

Once you've answered all of the questions as a team, we will discuss and then create a wiki as a whole group!


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References

  • Impact of Research-Based Professional Development: Investigation of Inservice Teacher Learning and Practice in Wiki Integration. (2012). Journal of Researce on Technology in Education, 44(4), 313-334.

  • Learn About Universal Design for Learning (UDL). (2012). CAST, inc. http://bookbuilder.cast.org/learn.php

  • Eyal, L. (2012). Digital Assessment Literacy -- the Core Role of the Teacher in a Digital Environment. Journal Of Educational Technology & Society, 15(2), 37-49

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