Wikis+-+Easy+Collaboration+for+All

=Chapter Summary/Key Points= As the ability and ease of reading and writing on the web evolved, there became a need for tools that facilitated interaction. Created in the mid 1990s, the wiki, derived from the //Hawaiian 'wiki-wiki', meaning quick//, was designed to encourage people to publish (Richardson 59). As evidenced by Wikipedia.org, a wiki is a website that permits anyone to edit a published entry. The result is a vast repository of information that is put together and shaped by cllaborative effort. The belief being, that a group has a greater ability than an individual, to provide depth of information, monitor the veracity of facts, and furnish a balanced perspective. According to the author, wikis are now widely utilized throughout society: in business and in education, as well as, by individuals pursuing their interests and hobbies.

Wikipedia is an online encyclopedia that anyone can contribute to.

Each addition becomes a page Each page has an //edit// //link// that permits changes/modifications Each page has a //history link// that indicates what changes were made, by whom, and when History list can be used to revert back to a previous, albeit correct or more appropriate version History list helps thwart vandalism
 * Anatomy of a Wiki**

Create online texts Showcase student work Simulate historical events Create virtual learning communities Archive lesson plans for educators to share
 * Utilization of Wikis in Education**

Read critically Develop collaborative skills Write and publish Teach other students Share their knowledge with a larger audience
 * Wikis Help Students**

As mentioned by the author, the use of wikis in classrooms produces some concerns among educators. Possibilities exist that a class wiki could be willfully damaged by erasing text, or by adding inappropriate material. It is suggested that if students are given editorial control over the contents of the wiki, the sense of accountability will lessen the liklihood of vandalism. For added protection, software is available, as well as, access to wiki sites on the web that feature a password and login setup.

The Peanut Butter Wiki (pb wiki) and JotSpot are just two of the web based sites that are available for creating classroom wikis. Accounts are established through email and both sites have a feature known as a //sandbox,// which provides tutorials and an opportunity to practice before creating a wiki. At the pb wiki, the teacher and students share a passwod; at JotSpot, the membership function enables the teacher to assign individual logins and passwords. Although access and terms vary, wikis may be established at Wikicities.com and SeedWiki.com.
 * Web based Wiki Sites and Resources for Schools**

JotSpot

=Applications= As noted in the summary, a portion of the chapter details uses for wikis in the classroom. I think the tangible result of producing a class wikipedia, or having a venue to disseminate school and community news, events, and interests is most beneficial. However, I think involvement in the collaborative process is invaluable to students. Discerning content and relevance, developing the ability to think critically, and learning to negotiate are essential life skills. In addition, the collaborative atmosphere may seem less restrictive, thus helping a reluctant learner ease into the process.

As evidenced by this class, a wiki is a useful and effective tool for professional development.

=Questions= What specific use, personal or in your classroom, can you envision for a wiki? Do you have any concerns about implementing a wiki in your classroom?