• Wikipedia is described here as “the most important site on the Web these days” (p. 55)
• The word “wiki” comes from the Hawaiian wiki-wiki, which means “quick.”
• Why is Wikipedia so unique? “You have the power” (p. 55). In other words, Wikipedia is created and recreated by “people just like you,” which gives it its “transformative potential.”
• How does Wikipedia work?
o Every page in a wiki has a link, with a phrase such as “Edit Page.” When clicking on this link, you reach a code or a web editor, depending on your browser.
o Also, it has a page history, a link near the “Edit Page” link. This can allow an editor to undo damage.
o A “Discussion” tab also exists, allowing contributors to discuss content and attempt to “get it right.”
• Collaboration, just as in teaching, is key in Wikipedia. A page can be described as “a collaboratively written research report” (p. 60).
• Concerned about using Wikipedia? Why not use an alternative, such as one of a number of Web-based wiki sites that allow users to gain access only through passwords and logins. Thereby, you can restrict who can enter the site.
• How does this relate to the learning process?
o “Students are not only learning how to publish content; they are also learning how to develop and use all sorts of collaborative skills, negotiating with others to agree on correctness, meaning, relevance and more. In essence, students begin to teach each other” (p. 61).
o The teacher can use Wikipedia to create an online text for the curriculum.
o In terms of professional development, such a page can be a resource for other teachers, or a “showcase for best practices” (p. 61)
• Many classes create a class wiki that has a link to the class blog.
• You can easily add subpages, layers and links such as the above mentioned link to a blog to your site.
• Classroom suggestions:
o Wikispaces.com
o Wetpaint.com
o Docs.Google.com
So, have you tried Wikispaces? Or any of the other sites?
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