Wiki Do’s Wiki Do’s and and Don’tsDon’ts

Compiled by Laura Sheehy with data from Brenda Olden’s NECC ‘08 Presentation: “Wikis on Fire: Confessions from a First Year Wikier” and pictures from flickr

Take a risk.

Risk by IceSabre uploaded to Flickr 1_25_08

Take a risk.

Risk by IceSabre uploaded to Flickr 1_25_08

Think outside the box and

try something new in the classroom.

This tool lends itself perfectly for collaboration.

Do your research.

doing research

by photostream

uploaded

to flickr 5_8_06

Do your research.

doing research

by photostream

uploaded

to flickr 5_8_06

A wiki will not work for every single project, however it can streamline class discussions,

FAQs, and be a place to document the process in a project.

Do make

a plan.

The LFS Learning Centre Overview by Cyprien uploaded to flickr 7_10_07

Do make

a plan.

The LFS Learning Centre Overview by Cyprien uploaded to flickr 7_10_07

Do you want your wiki password protected? How often do the students need to post? Will a

rubric be used to grade feedback? How will feedback be handled?

Do understand your district's rules.

1915 - Rules for Teachers, Sacramento, CA by HKPuiPui uploaded to flickr 27 12_17_07

Do understand your district's rules.

1915 - Rules for Teachers, Sacramento, CA by HKPuiPui uploaded to flickr 27 12_17_07

We have to be careful in what information is being disseminated.

If your district is very careful about students being online, take precautions to ensure their safety.

Do explain

guidelines to

students.

Classroom Guidelines by Glutnix uploaded to flickr 12_27_08

Do explain

guidelines to

students.

Classroom Guidelines by Glutnix uploaded to flickr 12_27_08

Students are naturally curious find many interesting ways to edit a

wiki. Be sure they understand the scope and goals of the class wiki. Otherwise it could grow to be an animal you no longer recognize.

Do read the

posts, and

read them

often.

Frici is reading comments by elekesmagdi uploaded to flickr 12_10_06

Do read the

posts, and

read them

often.

Frici is reading comments by elekesmagdi uploaded to flickr 12_10_06

The wiki lends itself to allow students to become more

participatory than they may be in the classroom. If feedback is

neglected, your wiki may suffer.

Keep the questions coming

questions questions by Rock Alien uploaded to flickr 1_14_08

Keep the questions coming

questions questions by Rock Alien uploaded to flickr 1_14_08

Starting a wiki is just the beginning. You have to

continually post questions, add topics, and encourage your

students to add to the usefulness of your wiki.

Do Be Consistent

Consistent Weather Forecast by Rob Watling uploaded to flickr 9_13_08

Do Be Consistent

Consistent Weather Forecast by Rob Watling uploaded to flickr 9_13_08

If you start it, then be sure to give the sufficient amount of time to

devote to your project.

Be Flexible

very flexible swan by Brian Guest (giant rebus) uploaded to flickr 11_24_08

Be Flexible

very flexible swan by Brian Guest (giant rebus) uploaded to flickr 11_24_08

Sometimes you can't predict where a wiki will go or what your

students will do.

HAVE FUN

kids have fun....me wish to be kid again too by zoom pict (kenny teo) uploaded to flickr 5_2_09

HAVE FUN

kids have fun....me wish to be kid again too by zoom pict (kenny teo) uploaded to flickr 5_2_09

Use this tool to enlighten, encourage, and challenge both

you and your students.

Wiki DON’Ts

Scared by Michelle Brea uploaded to flickr 1_19_07

Don't Don't be be scared. scared.

Try it. It may be just the project you needed to ignite your students into learning.

Don't Don't expect expect magic magic to to happenhappen. . Magic by Bohman uploaded to flickr 6_25_06

Wikis will not cause Johnny to be less surly or Jill to get better test scores right now. But maybe next week, something may change in your students!

Don't wiki just Don't wiki just because it is because it is popular.popular.

The popular bloke by Lauri Vain uploaded to flickr 7_30_08

But wait! Shouldn't everyone be doing it? No. Try what works for your classroom but be willing to try something new!

Don't steal your student's

enthusiasm.

don't steal by Uncleweed

uploaded to flickr 7_11_06

Face it, our students are usually more technologically savy than we are. They may come up with ideas or suggestions for the wiki. Foster an environment of learning!

Don't slack off. Don't slack off.

Day 163 – Kickin' Back by ktpupp uploaded to flickr 3_23_07Just because you start a wiki doesn't mean it will become a

collaborative project on its own. You have to continually feed it and encourage your students to be active participants in their learning.

Don't slack off.

Don't lose hope.

Never lose hope! by carf uploaded to flickr 2_15_06

Yeah, maybe that idea you had to do with your wiki didn't work. Sometimes brilliant plans bomb. But don't lose hope. Take that experience and allow it to make you a better educator!

Top 10 Do’s and Don’ts for Wikis taken from “Wikis on Fire: Confessions from a First Year

Wikier”Presented by Brenda Olden

at NECC 2008

Pictures from Flickr

Creative Commons licensed byLaura Sheehy