Wikispaces: Peer-to-Peer Collaboration
By Connie Schauer, NBCT
Spencer School District
[email protected]
Tool Introduction
A wiki is an interactive website that allows users to share, collaborate, and edit, if necessary. Unlike most websites, users can actually write on a webpage! The word “wiki” was coined by Ward Cunningham--who created the first wiki--in 1995. Wiki is a Hawaiian word that means “quick.” The following video gives a brief overview of wikis.
By Connie Schauer, NBCT
Spencer School District
[email protected]
Tool Introduction
A wiki is an interactive website that allows users to share, collaborate, and edit, if necessary. Unlike most websites, users can actually write on a webpage! The word “wiki” was coined by Ward Cunningham--who created the first wiki--in 1995. Wiki is a Hawaiian word that means “quick.” The following video gives a brief overview of wikis.
When educators think of wikis, Wikispaces often comes to mind. Wikispaces (http://www.wikispaces.com) is published by Tangient LLC in San Francisco, California, and claims to be “The world’s best Wiki Platform.” Wikispaces offers two versions: “Education” and “Everyone Else.” Since this toolbox is geared towards educators, I’m focusing on the Education version.
The Wikispaces website states that the Education version is “for anyone in education including teachers, students, parents, librarians, schools, and universities.” Wikispaces can be used (1) for collaborate writing; (2) as a social news feed; (3) to organize a class; and (4) to monitor student progress. Wikispaces is a cloud-based application and does not require users to download a program. It is available for classroom or campus use. The classroom version is free; the campus version is not.
We'll explore the classroom version. Both teachers and students can register. All that is required to start is a user name, password, and e-mail address. Once that data is provided, users are asked for additional information, such as location and school district, and to verify that the wiki is for classroom use. After the information is entered and verified, select “create.”
Tool Application
You've created your wiki! Now you will receive a "Welcome to Your Classroom" message and can get started.
The Wikispaces website states that the Education version is “for anyone in education including teachers, students, parents, librarians, schools, and universities.” Wikispaces can be used (1) for collaborate writing; (2) as a social news feed; (3) to organize a class; and (4) to monitor student progress. Wikispaces is a cloud-based application and does not require users to download a program. It is available for classroom or campus use. The classroom version is free; the campus version is not.
We'll explore the classroom version. Both teachers and students can register. All that is required to start is a user name, password, and e-mail address. Once that data is provided, users are asked for additional information, such as location and school district, and to verify that the wiki is for classroom use. After the information is entered and verified, select “create.”
Tool Application
You've created your wiki! Now you will receive a "Welcome to Your Classroom" message and can get started.
You have the option of (1) adding a page; (2) adding a file; (3) creating a blog; (4) adding a project; or (5) creating an event. At this point, the program becomes very user-friendly, and users can choose the functions that best suit their needs. If you have questions, the following tutorials demonstrate how to use the latest version of Wikispaces:
http://www.wikispaces.com/content/wiki-tour
http://onlinetutorials.wikispaces.com/
http://21ctools.wikispaces.com/Wikispaces
Like all web tools, however, wikis have their advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages
http://www.wikispaces.com/content/wiki-tour
http://onlinetutorials.wikispaces.com/
http://21ctools.wikispaces.com/Wikispaces
Like all web tools, however, wikis have their advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages
- Facilitates and encourage student writing.
- Requires students to use metacognitive skills.
- Allows for student collaboration.
- Combines technology, writing, and research skills.
- Engages students.
- Requires computer and Internet access.
- Can be edited by anyone.
- Frequently focuses on lower-level information.
- Sometimes written and/or edited by someone with no credentials on the topic.
- Not as scholarly as books or journal articles.
Tool Learning Objectives
The learner will choose one Western European country, identify five events of historical significance since World War II, and share them on the Wikispaces "page" using the template provided by the instructor.
Conclusion
Wikispaces is a free, easy-to-use Web 2.0 tool that has numerous applications for the classroom and is appropriate for students of most ages. Since it is an interactive website, users can post original information, edit, and collaborate. In addition, it makes a great tool for keeping parents informed and to post assignments.
References
Cunningham, W. (2003, November). “Correspondence on the Etymology of Wiki.”
Retrieved from: http://c2.com/doc/etymology.html.
LeBar, Z. (2014, February). “App Training: What Are Wikis, and Why Should You Use Them?” Computer Skills.
Retrieved from: http://computers.tutsplus.com/tutorials/what-are-wikis-and-why-should-you-use-them--cms-19540.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Wikis. (2015). Creative Common Attribution Share.
Retrieved from: http://wikiclassroomtechnology.wikispaces.com/Advantages+and+Disadvantages+of+Wikis
The learner will choose one Western European country, identify five events of historical significance since World War II, and share them on the Wikispaces "page" using the template provided by the instructor.
- The objective is to identify changes that occurred in post-World War II Europe and share those events with classmates on a Wikispaces "page." The instructor will create a template that lists the countries. Students will be instructed to use different colors and sign their initials after their posting. Since students are accessing different sites, the assumption is that they will find differing information. Additionally, what one student finds significant may not be important to another student.
- The objective is to keep students informed on world events and share them with their classmates. By responding to a minimum of two events, students have the opportunity to express their opinions of the events that shape their world.
Conclusion
Wikispaces is a free, easy-to-use Web 2.0 tool that has numerous applications for the classroom and is appropriate for students of most ages. Since it is an interactive website, users can post original information, edit, and collaborate. In addition, it makes a great tool for keeping parents informed and to post assignments.
References
Cunningham, W. (2003, November). “Correspondence on the Etymology of Wiki.”
Retrieved from: http://c2.com/doc/etymology.html.
LeBar, Z. (2014, February). “App Training: What Are Wikis, and Why Should You Use Them?” Computer Skills.
Retrieved from: http://computers.tutsplus.com/tutorials/what-are-wikis-and-why-should-you-use-them--cms-19540.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Wikis. (2015). Creative Common Attribution Share.
Retrieved from: http://wikiclassroomtechnology.wikispaces.com/Advantages+and+Disadvantages+of+Wikis