Be wiki-wise

Professional Development

2011

What is a wiki? A wiki is a website where teachers and students share:workideasfeelings and opinions

in a safe and monitored environment.

How much is it?

A few hours initially

Then you just add as you go along...it gets easier and easier.

Wikis on wikispaces.com are free!

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO SET UP?

Why would I use a wiki?

You can support the unique needs of ESL learners through:

Visual Aides

Message abundancy through multiple learning styles Audio Files that allow for multiple hearings

Direct links to the ‘real world’ safely and easily. Flash Video (linked or uploaded) for visual reinforcement

Kids engage with it.

They love chatting in a novel (yet familiar) way.

Quiet students start communicating.

It builds community and a sense of belonging:

The wiki can provide students with opportunities to chat, share ideas and build friendships.

A wiki can teach students how to learn, to enjoy learning and take risks on their learning journey.

You can use it as a communicating tool:

A wiki can be used to prompt, invite, encourage and teach students through mail and discussions.

It can be used to discuss problems and collaborate to come up with solutions.

You can use it to instruct:

Organise a lesson with a sequence of tasks.

Add links to useful websites and upload your files for students to view on line ….paperless!

Students progress through tasks at their own pace

= classroom differentiation!

You can use it as a teaching tool:

On the wiki tell your students what you are teaching them or what you taught them in class, this can work as a revision. Also homework and weekly tasks.

It can be used to showcase student work samples:

students benefit from seeing each others work yet this rarely happens in the classroom.

Students can continue learning from home.

It’s a great way to display photos and videos. Kids love this!

It’s safe:

Your wiki is private. All actions are transparent and no member actions or comments are anonymous with the “Wiki Statistics” tool on Wikispaces.com.

When is it good to use a wiki?When the wiki activity helps to develop an awareness of languageWhen the wiki activity increases communication amongst language

learnersWhen the wiki activity engages learners and tempts them to

participate more fullyWhen the wiki activity portrays, and helps to understand and deal

with, real life issues, questions and problemsWhen the wiki activity is showcasing student computer generated

workWhen the wiki activity allows for peer feedback and constructive

criticism of student work and ideasWhen the wiki activity builds a sense of community and belonging

When is it not so good to use the wiki?

When it fails to do any of those last points....or indeed hampers them!

OK, I’m convinced

Show me one!