Most replies wanted information so many of us are really getting more active with
web 2.0 and our students. It seems like it often takes a push (or shove) from us to
get a few teachers started.
I am posting the help that I received. Thanks again to all.
---------------
After demonstrating a bit, I let each student create their own page
with whatever material (gibberish, rubbish, fiction, etc. ) they
liked. I told them to use a pseudonym and gave them a class period to
just have fun. My only requirement was that they try to include all
the elements that I included on this model page:
http://marlboro56.pbwiki.com/Practice-Template
you can see an example of one of the kid's practice pages here:
http://marlboro56.pbwiki.com/Curtis
you can see, they enjoyed themselves.
Big tip! Do NOT let them have the password until you think they are
ready and have sat through your demo. I had them begging for that
password, they were so ready to get to work.
Have fun! (note: my kids were 5th/6th, yours might pick it up faster)
-------------
I've used wikis for a number of projects, but one in particular sounds
a lot like the project you're planning. Last year, as part of an
American History research paper, a social studies teacher and I
incorporated wikis (we use wikispaces) as a final presentation tool.
In our introduction to wikis, we basically did what you're describing
- we used the overhead to show the kids the skeleton of the wiki, how
to log in, how to navigate, how to edit, etc.We did preface the "nuts
and bolts" portion with a discussion of what wikis are, discussed
wikipedia as an example, and discussed why its a great tool for
collaborating and communicating. I would say much of our success came
from a few other ways we framed the assignment after the introduction.
Students were not introduced to the wiki until their papers were close
to completion. In that way, they were able to focus on creating a
quality paper. Then, when they were almost finished, the wiki was
introduced. They were told that by posting their papers to the wiki,
they were essentially creating a research guide for future high school
researchers. Therefore, when the class came to the lab to post their
papers, incorporate photos etc. they were given two tasks. 1) They had
to read at least a few of their classmates' papers and link
interrelated concepts on the wiki. This gave students a better
understanding of the historical context of their paper and how each
fit into the grand scheme of things. They were also encouraged to
hyperlink terms in their paper to related web sites. 2) We did a mini
lesson on annotated bibliographies. Students were required to include
their Works Consulted at the bottom of their wiki page, with
annotations for each citation. This enhanced the wiki's purpose as a
guide for other high school researchers. Much of our mini lesson
focused on understanding what unique part of the paper the resource
fulfilled so it could be communicated in the annotation. Here is the
final product: http://olmsteadhistoryproject.wikispaces.com/Research+Areas
I hope this helps,
-----------------
There are several short clips on wikis available on Teacher Tube, which most
schools doesn't block.
Also try http://blip.tv/file/246821 for Wikis in Plain English.
-----------
Ann Jantzen, Media Specialist
South Central Jr. Sr. H.S.
6675 E. Highway 11 SE
Elizabeth, IN 47117
jantzena@south.shcsc.k12.in.us
"I cannot live without books." -- Thomas Jefferson
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