1. Using Wikis to create a dynamic
learning experience
Shane Brazile
Vernisa Durden
Frances Ohanenye
2. Wikispaces
What is a “Wiki"?
A wiki is a space on the Web where you can share work
and ideas, pictures and links, videos and media — and
anything else you can think of. Wikispaces is special
because we give you a visual editor and a bunch of
other tools to make sharing all kinds of content as easy
for students as it is for their teachers.
- Wikispaces.com
3. Inspiring education
• How do educators bring excitement into learning and
their classrooms?
• Wikis offer an opportunity to create a dynamic
learning experience.
• Sharples, Taylor, and Vavoula (2007) found
technology was “supporting and augmenting the
semiotic activities, contributing a much richer
experience” (p. 241).
Sharples, M., Taylor, J., & Vavoula, G. (2007). A theory of learning for the mobile age. In R. Andrews & C.
Haythornthwaite (Eds.), The Sage handbook of elearning research (pp. 221-47). London: Sage.
4. What can teachers do with Wikispaces?
• Create student portfolios
– Students create a wiki showing work/projects they’ve
created.
• Students can collaborate on project wikis
– Set up groups to work together showing what they
know.
• Set up a wiki for your class information
– Teachers can access from any computer or mobile
device.
• Deliver content to students online
– Students could access lessons and support
information from anywhere, at anytime.
5. How would students use a wiki?
• Have students create online posters
– Old displays can become dynamic presentations
online with pictures, videos, and links.
• Collaboration
– Students can work together in a class online or
students can work with kids across the
nation/world online on wikis.
• Assignments can be uploaded to their wiki
– Go green! Less paper wasted.
8. Justification of Cost
For single classroom use, Wikispaces are absolutely FREE. This means that
teachers can create a wiki for their class or classes if they are departmentalized
and not worry about spending their own money. With all of the budget
shortfalls, this is certainly reassuring to know.
9. Educators receive:
An unlimited number of members can
join their wiki
Visual editing which allows text
format, insertion of pictures and files,
and educators can add links to other
pages.
Wikispaces that are ad-free
Customized themes
10. Target Audience and Content
Wikis are collaborative tools to exchange ideas, files, images, across
any subject.
Students need basic knowledge of PC and the Internet: mouse,
navigating a website, logging on, posting comments, inserting images
and files.
Most effective for Grades 5-12 who can work more independently
due to internet experience; embedded email is safe platform.
Very appropriate for teacher/peer collaboration
College professors tailor Wikis for high-level interaction/instruction.
11. Grade Level Stages for Using Wikis
5th grade Introduction to wikis; learn the basics like how
to sign up and log on; posting comments,
uploading assignments and completing
teacher-posted learning tasks.
6th-8th Using wikis to collaborate with each other on
large scale projects and assignments;
Uploading assignments, pictures, files, and
images;
Higher teacher expectation to use classroom
wikis as a primary source for class information
and updates.
9th and beyond Students begin creating wikis to fit academic
needs;
Teacher-to-teacher collaboration on Wiki
12. Summation 1:
Appropriate Context for Wiki
• Simple interface with a visual page editor
• Very versatile: multimedia capable
• Author/creator controls content or contextual
constraints and language use
• A virtual environment for collaboration,
problem solving, peer editing, and electronic
portfolio
• Graphical user interface
13. Summation 2:
Appropriate Context for Wiki
• Digital storytelling/global conversation
• Information literacy and 21st century skills
• Pliable, scalable opportunities for
differentiation
• Inquiry-based learning for acquiring,
processing, and synthesizing information
• Instant monitoring and feedback
• Inbuilt security feature to control tampering
