Cluster Share presentation on why I use wikispaces for my class.

1. In a Year 3 class Wikispaces

2. What is this Wiki thing anyway? Wikispaces defines their site as a place that “lets you create simple web pages that groups, friends and families can edit together.” Wikipedia defines wikis as “a collection of web pages designed to enable anyone who accesses it to contribute or modify content… Wikis are often used to create collaborative websites and to power community websites.” 09/08/08 Why have I dated this quote? Because Wikipedia is a wiki, and anyone can change this definition at any time! Imagine the possibilities…

3. So… what does a wiki look like?

4. This…

5. … and this…

6. … and this…

7. … and this…

8. … and this…

9. … and this…

10. … and this! So you can see, a wiki can look however you like. It’s just a website, but one that anyone you CHOOSE can go in and change.

11. Why use these in your class? Wikis can be used to display children’s work for parents and the world to see!

12. They can be used to display topic learning, because you have the ability to insert all sorts of things, including images, videos, sound clips and much more into your wiki.

13. Children can have one place to go to find information – information that YOU have already decided is appropriate. Much safer than using Google to do research.

14. You can create an online learning centre, and even make it interactive. Children can do their work straight onto the website!

15. You can upload documents straight into your wiki page, like homework sheets, work sheets or published children’s work. These can then be accessed from home! Just click!

16. And it’s so easy to use! Just like any word editing program, you have a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) editor… Click on “Edit this Page” and you get this…

17. Italics Font colour Bold Underline Adding links Adding pictures Adding other cool widgets

18. I have a blog. Is the wiki a replacement?

19. It depends on what you want to do. A wiki can be used like a blog, like so…

20. Or you can import blog entries from your blog (or any blog!) straight into your wiki, merging the two.

21. Or they can be kept completely separate. That is what I do for now. My blog is for the kids to just write in. They don’t have to worry about formatting anything. The wiki is for sharing of topic work, though we do have some PUBLISHED writing sharing in there, too. Blog Wiki