1. The Wiki Way: Creating and Facilitating a Collaborative Online Learning Environment Shanna Opfer Concordia University Director of Elementary Education Program Seward, NE

2. Sectional Agenda Wiki Basics Play with a Wiki http://edgetechnology.wikispaces.com Share effective examples of Wiki use in Elementary Classrooms Create your own Wiki Account Create your own Wiki

3. So, what is a Wiki? A web page with an edit button! This video, by the people at Commoncraft, explains the idea of a Wiki “in Plain English” without using ANY technology. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=- dnL00TdmLY

4. Wiki’s are… A type of web site that allows users to easily add, remove, and otherwise edit and change available content. This ease of interaction and operation makes a wiki an effective tool for collaborative authoring.

5. Key to Effective Wiki Success… Collaboration! If you are not offering collaboration opportunities on your Wiki, you are missing the whole point! Without options for co-editing and communication, you simply have a webpage. Effective Wiki’s embrace other 21 st Century Skills as well: Communication in a Digital Arena Critical Thinking in a Global Context New Media Literacy Creativity

6. Types of Wiki’s Public Can be viewed by anyone Also can be edited by anyone Protected Can be viewed by anyone Only can be edited by members of the space Private Can only be viewed or edited by members of the space

7. Why ? “The world’s easiest to use wiki.” No experience necessary. You are up and running in minutes! There are other good wiki sites: PB Wiki Wetpaint

8. Let’s Jump in and Try This Out! Go to http://edgetechnology.wikispaces.com http://edgetechnology.wikispaces.com Settings are on PUBLIC, so anyone can access and edit. Please wait while I assign you a “play page” on this Wiki.

9. Let’s Jump in and Try This Out! Navigate to your page, click the button, and add the following information. Name School Position Briefly share a way you’ve recently used technology in instruction OR share a favorite technology application or website you use or look forward to using in your future classroom. (Write a short paragraph) For my early finishers: Play with the editing toolbar to change font, text size, etc. Click ! You have 6 minutes! Go!

10. Now Let’s Collaborate Go to the “Play Page” one number after your own. (1 goes to 2, 2 goes to 3, etc) Read the content on the page and respond in one of the following ways: Relate a personal experience you’ve had with this technology Offer a suggestion to make this learning experience even better Share other insights or thoughts Share encouragement

11. My Experience with a Wiki http://cueducation201.wikispaces.com Essential Understandings Technology should enhance student understanding of content. Technology should support learning goals and objectives.

12. Wiki Concerns and Solutions A malicious author can sabotage a wiki's content… A wiki can easily be restored to a previous version by visiting the history function. A wiki allows anyone to edit… A wiki can be set up to allow only authorized users to have editing rights. You can also create a wiki that only you and your class can edit. A wiki page does not like to be edited by two people simultaneously… Create sub-pages for the students to work on that are linked to the main page. Click “refresh” and save often. Student privacy is paramount… Never publish last names or personal details of students. Teachers must discuss privacy issues with their students.

13. How Can I Use it in My Classroom? “Home Base Center” Promote Communication with Parents and Students Facilitate Content Delivery Post assignments, projects, etc. Share resourcesExamples: Student Portfolios Mrs. Cook’s Class Mrs. Cook’s Class Mrs. Anderson’s Class Mrs. Anderson’s Class

14. How Can I Use it in My Classroom? Facilitate Collaboration and Communication Within your own classroom Project-based learning Peer-reviewed work "Choose your Own Adventure" Story Writing Within your community http://bungareehistory.wikispaces.com/ With the country/world http://greetingsfromtheworld.wikispaces.com/

15. How Can I Use it in My Classroom? Professional Development A great Wiki often houses a stockpile of GREAT resources and information Join Wiki’s that are helpful for your needs Specific Subject Area Support http://resourcesforhistoryteachers.wikispaces.com/home School Wide Goal Work http://21stcenturyskillsnmteachercourse.wikispaces.com/home

16. So, before we Wiki… Questions? Concerns? Thoughts?

17. Wiki Workshop Use the paper tutorial to set up your Wikispaces account and begin work on your Wiki. For further tips, tricks, and ideas visit the Wiki Tutorials link on the Edge Technology Wikipage. Wiki Ideas: Classroom Home Base Page (try to include at least one page that promotes collaboration) Begin a page for a collaborative project in your classroom Create a portfolio of teaching resources Do your own thing!

18. Workshop Sharing What did you accomplish? What are you excited about? What other questions do you have?