Why Use a Wiki

Slide 1: Why Use a Wiki? Joan Vinall-Cox, Ph.D.

Slide 2: First, What’s a Wiki? • A wiki is a website. – A space on the web with a web address

Slide 3: But It’s M Than a Website! ore Looks like a website -

Slide 4: But it’s Easier! To edit, use icons, just like in word-processing No technical expertise or HTML knowhow needed

Slide 5: More Accessible! Wiki Applications provide the web address – no web domains needed

Slide 6: Free or Inexpensive! • My two favorite wiki applications – (there are many) • Are Free! – If you accept the advertising • Or, (and I really like this) – If you are a teacher

Slide 7: The Really Big Difference … • More than one person can edit! – In the settings for your wiki you can define • Who can see it! • Who can edit it! • It is a superb collaborating tool!

Slide 8: Online Explanations http://www.commoncraft.com/video-wikis-plain-english

Slide 9: Choices, Choices, Choices … • Wikispaces • PBWiki

Slide 10: Wikispaces http://www.wikispaces.com/site/pricing

Slide 11: Wikispaces for K – 12 http://www.wikispaces.com/help+Teachers

Slide 12: Peanut Butter Wiki http://pbwiki.com/business.wiki

Slide 13: PBwikis for Education http://pbwiki.com/education.wiki • Premium PBwikis get advanced access controls, which let you grant certain people editing privileges, while others are limited to reading. Premium plans start at $9.95/month.

Slide 14: Learning Wikispaces http://www.wikispaces.com/site/ tour#introduction

Slide 15: Learning PBwiki http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A204JcGQiY0

Slide 16: Advice on Wikis for Teachers http://educationalwikis.wikispaces.com/Articles+and+Resources

Slide 17: Advice on Wikis for Educators http://pbwiki.com/education.wiki#Doyouprovideeducatorspecificmaterials

Slide 18: Choose which kind of wiki you want and start playing! Wikis have a built-in safety net • If there’s a problem, you can easily revert to a previous page or edit Don’t be surprised if your students come up with new and helpful uses!

Slide 19: Thanks for Your Time